Tyla Shuts Down “Colored” vs. “Black” Debate During Breakfast Club Interview

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South African singer Tyla isn’t here for the games! In a recent interview with The Breakfast Club, Tyla refused to be drawn into a discussion about the difference between being labeled “colored” and “black” in South Africa.

The issue flared up last year after a social media post sparked a debate. An online user jokingly claimed it was the first time rapper Travis Scott had been around a “black woman” in a photo with Tyla. However, South African commenters were quick to point out that Tyla is not “black” but “colored.”

This ignited a discussion between South Africans and African Americans due to the differing connotations of the terms. In the U.S., “colored” has a historically negative connotation, while in South Africa, it’s simply a broader term for people who aren’t white.

“The term ‘colored’ evolved to describe mixed-race South Africans,” explained Sybil Roberts, director of African American and African diaspora studies at American University, to The Hill. “However, this is controversial due to past anti-miscegenation laws. So, biracial and multiracial groups were designated ‘colored,’ but this term became problematic during and after apartheid.”

Tyla and her team opted to avoid reigniting the debate. During the Breakfast Club interview, Tyla declined to answer the question about the difference between the terms. It’s a smart move – who can blame her for wanting to steer clear of more social media drama?

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