Entertainment

Reaction To Tyla’s ‘Water’ Live Performance Sparks Comparison Debate With Ayra Starr [Watch]

Published

3 years ago

October 12, 2023

South African music star Tyla has performed her hit song ‘Water’ for the first time on live television with the video generating reactions on social media.

The footage of the South African diva performing the smash song at the BIANCA 2023 program was uploaded on Wednesday by ‘Charts Africa’ on X (previously known as Twitter), with a certain reaction drawing comparisons to Nigerian superstar singer, Ayra Starr.

Fans took to comparing the style of music and dance moves deployed by both singers with others disapproving the comparison.

Tyla, 21, and Ayra Starr, 21, previously worked on the song “Girl Next Door” in May, and Tyla expressed her delight at collaborating with the Afrobeats sensation.

I absolutely loved working with Ayra Starr on our new single, ‘Girl Next Door,’” Tyla said in a press release. “She’s such a talented artist, and I feel like our energies really came together to create something special. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!”

On Wednesday, Charts Africa posted: “Tyla performing #Water for the first time on live television.”

The comparison, however, strted when @_dhemii said:
“Tyla is who Ayra Starr thinks she is.”

@anthony_fedora replied:

“Ayra Starr is exactly who she thinks she is, g** with that downplaying another person in other to elevate another.

“You can admire Tyla without trying to put an equally beautiful and talented Ayra Starr down.”

@AbiodunRaphiat alao said: “Nigerians and their insecurity attitude, why are you comparing your artist to SAans artists. Always looking for rivalry in everything,
Tyla is not copying your Ayra star
Tyla is a queen on her own 👑 and she’s gonna shine for a very long time.”

@smilenelisa commented:

“Y’all are so weird Ayra Starr is one of the few artists that has always hyped Tyla before she blew up don’t try and pit these two talented ladies against each other, anyway stream Girl next door by Tyla ft Ayra Starr.”

@pinkyswearand1 posted:

“Two bad bees can co-exist and we love them equally . Tyla is who she thinks she is and Ayra Starr is also who she thinks she is and personally I and a whole lot of other people love them like that.”

Tyla is who Ayra Starr thinks she is.
pic.twitter.com/GiywftMrZU
— D3M1👨🏾‍💻🩺 (@_dhemii) October 11, 2023
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@BryanJustin7 posted a video of Tyla and Aura singing together with the caption: “Tyla & Ayra ♨️”

@Ellsx_ said:

“Ayra and tyla are like the same to me lmaoo just different skin tones and accents. African baddies 😮‍💨”

‘Water’ by Tyla

Tyla recently made Billboard Hot 100 history which is her first career entry on the chart as she becomes the youngest South African musician to appear on the list which is the most popular music ranking chart in the US, published weekly.

The viral hit song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, after trending for several weeks on TikTok as Water is the first solo song by a South African musician to appear on the chart since jazz legend Hugh Masekela’s Grazing in the Grass 55 years ago.

Tyla & Ayra ♨️ https://t.co/CROX7q1o4G pic.twitter.com/FAxepYtEPG
— Bryan🤘🏽 (@BryanJustin7) October 11, 2023
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The TikTok dance challenge has also popularised the South African Bacardi dance routine to a global audience.

“Tyla debuts at number 67 on this week’s Hot 100. It is her first career entry on the chart,” US music and entertainment magazine Billboard, which compiles the list, said on Monday, ahead of the release of the week’s list.

Tyla also reacted to the news on X, formerly Twitter.

“I’m a South African girl born and raised in Johannesburg. This is crazy,” she said.

Released in July, Water started gaining popularity in August when Tyla, whose full name is Tyla Laura Seethal, started sharing TikTok videos of herself dancing to it.

The song fuses a mix of genres, including Afrobeats, pop, R&B, and Amapiano, a South African style of electronic dance music.

Water has so far surpassed 3.6 million views on YouTube and attracted 10.7 million monthly Spotify listeners for Tyla.

Water has also ranked on other music charts in the US and UK, including the Billboard Afrobeats and R&B charts.

VANGUARD

Entertainment

Davido To Be Inducted Into Black Music Walk Of Fame

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

Afrobeat superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has been named an inductee for the 2026 Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States.

The organisers announced Davido as part of this year’s class ahead of the induction ceremony scheduled for June 1 in Atlanta’s Historic Westside.

The recognition places him alongside entertainment figures honoured for their influence on Black culture and global music.

Other inductees listed included Ludacris,Atlanta-based artiste and philanthropist, Paul Morton, renowned gospel singer and Maynard Jackson, former Atlanta Mayor.

The feat has added the “Timeless” crooner to the list of African artists previously recognised by the organisation, including late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti.

The Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame was created by the Black American Music Association and the Georgia Entertainment Caucus to honour people who have shaped Black entertainment and music.

It recognises Black entertainers and cultural figures who have influenced music and entertainment around the world, with inductees receiving plaques placed along the walkway in Atlanta in recognition of their impact on Black culture.

Davido’s recognition for the walk of fame is coming when he is marking 15 years on stage as a music star.

He had on Thursday shared a post on his X page(formerly Twitter), “God is the best of all planners! 15 years in da game”, reflecting on his journey so far.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Davido, born in Atlanta,Georgia, began his music career professionally in 2011, and started working on his debut studio album ‘Omo Baba Olowo’,a mixture of Afrobeats and hip hop.

He made his music debut as a member of the group KB International, and rose to fame after releasing “Dami Duro”, the second single from ‘Omo Baba Olowo’ (2012).

Within a decade and half, Davido has delivered several hit records, including five studio albums; Omo Baba Olowo (2012),A Good Time (2019),A Better Time (2020),Timeless (2023) and 5ive (2025).

He has secured several nominations and awards on the global stage, with three nominations at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards (2024), including Best Global Music Album for Timeless.

NAN

Entertainment

Burna Boy To Feature On Official 2026 FIFA World Cup Anthem

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

Popular Nigerian singer Burna Boy will join Colombian pop icon Shakira to perform the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup titled “Dai Dai.”

It will be the second consecutive time a Nigerian artiste will feature in a World Cup song.

Recall that Davido featured in the official song of the 2022 FIFA World Cup tagged “Hayya Hayya (Better Together).”

The song will be officially released on Thursday, May 14.

In her post, Shakira wrote: “From Maracanã Stadium, here is ‘Dai Dai,’ the @FIFAWorldCup Official Song 2026. Coming 5/14. We’re ready! ⚽️🐺 @burnaboy.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America.

The competition will run from June 11 to July 19.

Entertainment

Portable In Lone Car Accident Night To Child’s Naming Ceremony [VIDEO]

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

Controversial Nigerian street-pop artiste, Portable, has been involved in a lone accident a night to his new born baby’s naming ceremony.

The incident happened on Thursday night in Ogun State, after he experienced a brake failure during his preparation for the ceremony.

Sharing details about the incident, Portable revealed he escaped death after he drove his car into a ditch to avoid colliding with another car.

Speaking in a trending video on his Instagram story, the singer said, “My fans, join me to appreciate God. I was just driving out this evening when the accident happened.

“Nothing do me oo, I came out unhurt . I suddenly realized that the car had failed brake. My people have arrived here (at the scene of the incident) I thank God they are not here to carry my corpse.

“I’ve already bought two cows for my son’s naming ceremony. Thank God that the accident didn’t happen when trailer was passing on the road.”

Recall that Portable gave out free ankara aso ebi clothes to celebrate the naming ceremony of his new born baby with his wife, Bewaji.

Bewaji had given birth during Portable’s boxing fight with Carter Efe on Friday May 1 2026

Watch the video here