Nigerian superstar Tiwa Savage has spoken out after South African singer Tyla appeared to reference her during a viral moment at the Global Citizen Festival in New York. While performing on stage, Tyla boldly said, “Sorry, I’m not sorry,” a phrase many fans interpreted as a response to Tiwa’s earlier public apology on her behalf.

The tension began when Tiwa Savage, in a recent interview, commented on Tyla identifying as “Coloured”, a South African term referring to people of mixed heritage. Tiwa had expressed understanding of the backlash Tyla faced online and said she wanted to “apologize on her behalf” to those who misunderstood the cultural context of the term. 

However, her statement drew criticism from fans in both Nigeria and South Africa, with many saying she had no reason to apologize for another artist’s self-identification. Tyla’s response on stage reignited the discussion, with clips of her declaration trending across X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. 

Addressing the situation days later, Tiwa clarified that she meant no disrespect and only wanted to show empathy. In a message shared through her team, she explained that her comments were taken out of context and were made in line with her cultural belief that elders should calm disputes when they arise. She also stressed that she never intended to speak on Tyla’s identity or diminish her voice. 

Meanwhile, Tyla’s remark continues to trend, with fans praising her confidence and self-expression. The 2024 Grammy winner, known for her global hit “Water,” has yet to make a direct statement about the exchange, but her brief comment has clearly resonated with her fanbase.

As the debate continues, both artists remain at the centre of an ongoing conversation about culture, identity, and representation in African pop music.