Tyla Speaks Out on Negative Perceptions of Africa Among Americans

As African cultures gain rapid and significant acceptance among American artists and audiences, South African singer Tyla has shared her perspective on how the continent is often viewed in the U.S.

In an interview, Tyla reflected on her experience growing up and engaging with American audiences. Despite the current embrace of African music and culture—illustrated by Nigerian star Burna Boy becoming the first African artist to sell out a U.S. stadium in 2023—Tyla revealed a more troubling reality. “I heard it wasn’t cool to be African in America, and I didn’t really know until I started using social media,” Tyla shared.

She explained how her early social media interactions were sometimes met with derogatory comments. “I realized that [being African] wasn’t always welcome,” she said.

Tyla expressed optimism about the growing appreciation for African culture, noting how more Americans are showing love and openness towards African music and learning about the continent’s richness. “I love that now people are enjoying the music and being more open to it,” she added.

This evolving cultural shift highlights not only the rise of African music globally but also the broader conversation about stereotypes and misconceptions about Africa in the U.S.