Tyla in Nigeria. Picture: Instagram.
This year was the most successful one for South African musician Tyla.
The Grammy-award-winning singer became a global sensation following the blow-up of her hit single, “Water” and later her debut album “Tyla,” which topped the charts.
Her stardom was not easy. It came with haters, but that didn’t stop her from winning.
This December, the multi-award-winning singer is back on African soil and after spending some time in her home city, Joburg and even partying in Soweto with the likes of DJ Maphorisa, she is now in Lagos, Nigeria.
In a video circulating on social media, Tyla was seen partying with Tems and Ayra Starr.
Tyla x Tems x Ayra x Darkoo x Dj SkylaTylaa at OBI's House!!! pic.twitter.com/0sDh21I0iy
— NOTJUSTOK (@NOTJUSTOK) December 24, 2024
Those visuals got attention because of the rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa.
For so long, some Nigerians on X have compared Tyla to Starr, even accusing Tyla of “copying” Starr’s style.
“South Africans mad Nigerians weren’t singing along to Tyla last night. Lmao, she’s not top 20 in Nigeria,” said @kusssman.
But the truth is, both Tyla and Starr are successful young women doing well in their own right, setting them up against each other is just silly.
“It’s so refreshing to see Tyla, Ayra and Tems hanging out together, collaborating and being friends despite the internet’s obsession with trying to pit them against each other,” said @mpumelelx.
Some of Tyla’s fans didn’t mind that she didn't give her best performance to a dead crowd.
“I feel like Tyla gave Nigeria exactly the energy they gave her! Why would she break herself for a dead crowd? Nigeria is so gay, they only go gaga for male artists! They had a dude give Gunna a bouquet of flowers during his arrival and gave Tyla nothing! I mean that sums it up!” said @Push2Star.
Others said Nigerians need to stop trying to humble Tyla because whether they like it or not, she’s still going to succeed.
“Nigerian people's commitment to humbling Tyla is very annoying. She's at a club vibing with their local faves and has even collaborated with some of them, but this nonsense agenda must agend regardless,” said @candysithole_.