Tyla has been in the spotlight ever since her song “Water” went viral globally. She has received numerous accolades, including a Grammy, a BET Award, and most recently, an MTV VMAs award.
However, after her acceptance speech at the MTV VMAs, she faced significant backlash from Americans online. Cardi B, known for her hit “Bongos,” came to Tyla’s defense on X (formerly Twitter) amid the social media controversy. Some viewers mistakenly believed Tyla was rude to Halle Bailey when she asked her to hold the MTV VMAs trophy. Cardi clarified that Tyla was actually asking Lil Nas X to hold it because he is a man.
“Tyla wishes she never won that MTV VMAs award. If she had known it would bring so much hate and criticism, I bet she was crying that night,” Cardi told her Bardigang followers.
Cardi further expressed her frustration with how people on the internet exaggerate situations.
“The internet is so insufferable. You all take a moment and make it something it’s not, just to crush somebody. You criticise so much that you don’t even realize you’re bullying this girl, and for no real reason,” she stated.
Tyla was unfairly labeled an “Uppity African” by some, who felt she was being overly confident. Cardi B added that the MTV VMAs trophies are quite heavy and, given Tyla’s smaller stature, it made sense for her to ask for help.
“You gotta worry about delivering a speech, looking good, and holding a 10-pound award at the same time,” Cardi continued, defending Tyla’s actions at the MTV VMAs.
See some comments below:
@Dark_sheriff4 said:
“She a real one.”
@TaylorQueenMada shared:
“Cardi always supporting and mothering these new girls. Cardi I respect you.”
@khandizwe_chris added:
“She’s not even defending, she’s spitting out facts on facts.”
Recall that South African music sensation Tyla triumphed at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), taking home the Best Afrobeats Song award for her hit single “Water.” In a highly competitive category, she outshined heavyweights like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, Ayra Starr, and Lojay, marking a monumental moment in her career.
While celebrating her win, Tyla expressed mixed emotions about the categorization of African music under the Afrobeats label. In her acceptance speech, she said:
“This is so special, but also bittersweet because there is a tendency to group all artists under Afrobeats.”
The star, whose music is more closely aligned with Amapiano – a genre originating from South Africa – highlighted the diversity of African music.
“Even though Afrobeats has opened so many doors for us, African music is so diverse. It’s more than just Afrobeats,” Tyla emphasized. She concluded with pride in her heritage, saying, “I come from South Africa, I represent my culture.”
Her win not only celebrated her personal success but also brought attention to the rich and diverse musical landscapes across Africa.
