South African superstar Tyla delivered a night of powerful moments at the 2025 Global Citizen Festival in New York, balancing compassion for her fans with a defiant response to her critics.
Stopping the music for a fan in need
The Grammy Award winner was midway through her hit song Water when she noticed a fan in distress among the crowd of more than 60,000 people gathered at Central Park’s Great Lawn. She immediately called for the music to be stopped and asked security and medics to assist.
“Someone needs help here? Are you guys okay?” she was heard asking as she pointed towards the audience. The atmosphere shifted as silence fell across the park until the fan received attention.
Once the situation was under control, Tyla smiled warmly at the crowd and asked whether they wanted her to continue or restart the track. The audience’s cheers made the choice clear, and she delivered the performance all over again, to even greater applause.
A fearless response to controversy
Later in the evening, Tyla used her performance of Mr Media to send a message to those who have criticised her in recent months. With sharp lyrics carrying a bold “none of your concern” theme, the track underscored her refusal to be defined by public scrutiny.
Mid-performance, she looked out at the audience and declared she was “not sorry,” a statement that struck a chord following the recent debate around her identity.
The controversy resurfaced after Nigerian star Tiwa Savage appeared on The Breakfast Club, acknowledging why the term “Coloured” is offensive in the United States while also expressing sympathy for Tyla as a young artist navigating different cultural contexts. Savage even apologised on Tyla’s behalf, saying, “We did not mean it, forgive us. I do not think it came from a bad place.”
Tyla had previously clarified her position on X, explaining: “I’m mixed with Black/Zulu, Irish, Mauritian/Indian, and Coloured. In South Africa, I would be classified as a Coloured woman and in other places I would be classified as a Black woman… I don’t expect to be identified as Coloured outside of South Africa by anyone not comfortable doing so, because I understand the weight of that word outside of SA.”
— Tyla (@Tyllaaaaaaa) June 13, 2024
Global Citizen Festival highlights
This year’s Global Citizen Festival, hosted once again by Hugh Jackman, placed a strong spotlight on African voices and global issues. Alongside Tyla, performers included Shakira, Cardi B, Ayra Starr and Mariah the Scientist.
The annual event blends music and activism, aiming to tackle poverty, inequality and climate change. In 2025, one of the major initiatives focused on expanding energy access to one million people across Africa.
For Tyla, the night was not only a chance to showcase her music but also to remind audiences worldwide of her authenticity, her resilience, and her unwavering bond with fans.
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Featured Image: Getty
