South African rising star Tyla has found herself at the center of controversy after being criticized by American media personality Joe Budden. On a recent episode of The Joe Budden Podcast, the outspoken host had harsh words for the 22-year-old singer, questioning her personality and cultural understanding.
In his rant, Budden expressed his dislike for Tyla, accusing her of not understanding American culture. “Hey, I don’t think I like Tyla’s personality. I think someone needs to check her ’cause she doesn’t understand American culture AT ALL,” he said. Budden went further, describing her demeanor as “entitled” and “uppity,” stating that she gives off what he called “off-putting African vibes.” According to him, Tyla’s behavior made her come across as though she expected everyone to “fall at her feet.”
Budden’s critique didn’t stop there. He also referenced a recent incident involving Tyla and Grammy-winning R&B star Usher, which occurred at a concert and went viral on social media. During the show, Usher attempted to engage Tyla in one of his signature dance moves, but the singer appeared to avoid the interaction, a moment that was caught on camera. While many fans applauded Tyla for standing her ground and preventing the moment from becoming too personal, Budden was not impressed.
“When Usher attempted to do his showmanship dance while her record was playing in front of 20,000 people, she ducked him,” Budden said, criticizing Tyla’s actions as unprofessional. He implied that her refusal to participate in the moment disrupted the flow of the performance.
The criticism from Budden sparked heated reactions online, particularly among Tyla’s South African fanbase. Many took to social media to defend the singer, arguing that she was simply being true to her roots and had no obligation to conform to American expectations.
“She is African. Why must she act American? Leave our girl and let her be true to herself,” commented one user on Instagram, echoing the sentiment of many others.
Despite the backlash from Budden, Tyla’s fans have continued to rally behind her, emphasizing the importance of cultural authenticity. At just 22 years old, the singer has already made significant strides on the global stage, and her supporters are eager to see her continue to rise—on her own terms.
