Tiwa faces ‘savage’ backlash for apologising on behalf of Tyla

Nigerian Artist, Tiwa Savage, has faced major backlash on social media users after apologising on behalf of South African Grammy winner Tyla, who labels herself as “coloured”—a term many Americans find offensive due to the country’s history.

Savage made the apology during an interview on America’s popular radio show The Breakfast Club this week, explaining that Tyla did not intend any harm.

“Where I am from, when something like that happens, The elder will come on behalf of the young one to apologise. Hahaha. If that wasn’t communicated well, on behalf of her, I would like to apologise, ” said Savage.

Tyla innocently went on a radio broadcast in the US responding that she is coloured, after she was asked what race she identifies as.

“In South Africa my race is called “coloured” and it’s a very stressful term to use in America because I know it’s a derogatory term but that is just what we are called in SA,” said Tyla.

Some Americans criticised the ‘Water’ hitmaker, arguing she could not expect them to refer to her as “coloured” given the term’s historical context in the US.

South Africans, however, defended the young artist, urging her to be unapologetic about her identity.

Weeks after the controversy, social media attention shifted to Savage, with many accusing her of inserting herself unnecessarily into the debate by apologising on Tyla’s behalf.

Forget Tiwa Savage for a second but like why the the interviewer think it wise to bring up Tyla , A South African on an interview with a Nigerian
Those two counties are not even remotely close to each other https://t.co/WCe2d89EFL

— David 🥷🏾 || Libra Era ♎✨ (@MosesDavid101) September 25, 2025

And this is the type of bootlicking African they wanted Tyla to be. Tiwa Savage had no business apologizing on behalf of Tyla to who and I don’t know for what. Because Tyla said absolutely nothing wrong. You can always count on a Nigerian to embarrass the African continent🧵 pic.twitter.com/Mm65B5kzNM

— Lord Elrich R. Woolfe🐺 (@ruxadewoolfe) September 25, 2025

I hate Africans that are pick mes for Americans because what was Tiwa Savage doing apologising on behalf of Tyla on that show full of dummies, mind you she is speaking for someone from a country that she knows nothing about the history of, just pissed me off pic.twitter.com/7zWwpEAYxN

— cuntsommia (@notyoursommia) September 25, 2025

Nigerians like involving themselves into South Africans business. Why is Tiwa Savage apologizing on behalf of Tyla, like Tyla did something wrong?? pic.twitter.com/6bbIF06gVc

— K H O Z Y (@Sthabiso__) September 25, 2025

“I am Nigerian, it’s not my place to weigh in on South African racial discourse.”

That’s all Tiwa Savage had to say, but she had to go and put her foot in it.

— Petite Ebony Girl 🇵🇸 (@PetiteEbonyGirl) September 25, 2025

Tiwa Savage apologizing on behalf of Tyla is weird and it’s fake as fvck.

If you want to stand up for someone then go hard for them like Cardi B or don’t do it at all. pic.twitter.com/iGBF7QpzvD

— Jesse F. (@JesseFJacobs) September 25, 2025

Does Tiwa Savage even anything about the South African culture?!?!?! Tyla is a coloured in South Africa. They must just learn and understand it’s not an insult for a South African pic.twitter.com/KW7kPkPZz5

— Mageba (@Sadmethod) September 25, 2025

@TiwaSavage Am sorry queen,but your reply on the breakfast interview-its just-I don’t know.

Yes miss tyla was young but she understood the differences in terms when it came to outside SA.
She’s proud of her culture but never expected anyone outside to go by hers.
This is it👇 pic.twitter.com/d9Kap1gkhy

— DIVAJULIE (@924_Divajulie) September 25, 2025

Written by: Odirile Rabalao