South African singer and Grammy Award winner Tyla is facing heavy backlash from some Nigerians after she announced Lagos as one of the stops on her A-Pop World Tour yesterday.
Her A-Pop World Tour, which will take her across several countries in North America and Europe, with Lagos among the three African locations listed on the tour schedule, has sparked criticism from some Nigerian fans who say they are unhappy with her decision to perform in the country.
The backlash from some Nigerians stems from recent xenophobic tensions in South Africa following the March and March protests, which were driven by calls from some South Africans to crack down on illegal immigration.
Against this backdrop, some critics have accused Tyla of remaining silent on the attacks targeting Nigerians, while choosing to engage with Nigerian fans only now that she is scheduled to perform in Lagos.
Taking to social media, some Nigerians have called on others not to support the concert, saying they will not attend the event if it goes ahead. Some have even warned that the singer may not receive the warm reception she expects upon her arrival in Nigeria.
One X user described attendees of the upcoming concert as useless.
“Any Nigerian who attends Tyla’s concert in Lagos is just as useless as the government btw.”
Another user reminded netizens of the xenophobia in the country and was against South Africans performing in Nigeria.
“With what went down and what is going down in South Africa against Nigerians, no South African artists should be hosting a concert or show in Nigeria.”
However, others have disagreed with the criticism, arguing that Tyla should not be held responsible for political tensions between the two countries and that music should be a tool for bringing people together rather than creating further division.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore also criticised the calls for a boycott, saying a musician should not be held responsible for the actions of others.
Tyla has since not responded publicly to the backlash. It also remains unclear whether the growing online criticism will have any impact on her Lagos concert.
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Story by Theo Davids |univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Anita Azawodie
