Cardi B defends Tyla against critics questioning her racial identity

JOHANNESBURG — 13 August 2025

International rapper Cardi B has publicly defended South African singer Tyla against growing online criticism about her racial identity.

Tyla faces backlash despite her global rise after her Grammy-winning hit “Water” in 2023. Social media users label her an “industry plant” and “uppity African”. Critics accuse her of denying her Black identity by using the term “coloured”, considered offensive in America (social media commentary).

Cardi B referenced her own experiences with online harassment, telling listeners: “Look at Tyla. People been dragging the sh** out of Tyla and it’s, like, the girl don’t even fing address or talk about nothing.” She expressed frustration that “they beat your energy and they beat your confidence”.

Tyla previously addressed identity concerns in a 2024 social media post: “I’m mixed with black/Zulu, Irish, Mauritian/Indian and coloured. In Southa I would be classified as a Coloured woman and other places I would be classified as a black woman. Race is classified differently in different parts of the world.”

In a recent Variety interview, the 23-year-old clarified: “I don’t expect to be identified as coloured outside of South Africa by anyone not comfortable doing so because I understand the weight of that word outside my country. But to close this conversation, I’m both coloured in South Africa and a black woman.” She admitted criticism challenged her sense of self.

Despite the controversy, Tyla’s career continues ascending. She was named one of Variety’s 2025 Young Hollywood winners and is releasing new amapiano single “Chanel” ahead of her second album.

While online debates persist about her identity, Tyla is focusing on her music with Cardi B now vocally supporting her.