Entertainment

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

Published

2 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.

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Entertainment

VDM: Anyone Who Fights Inside Aircraft Deserves Life Imprisonment – Portable

Published

3 days ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

Controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has reacted to the viral clash between activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, and comedian, Freedom Okpetoritse Atsepoyi, better known as Mr Jollof, saying anyone who engages in a fight inside an aircraft deserves life imprisonment.

In a viral video shared on social media, Portable condemned the act and questioned why anyone would choose to fight on board a plane.

Entertainment

UK Police Storm Peller’s Apartment After Noise Complaint [VIDEO]

Published

4 days ago

November 21, 2025

Editor

The United Kingdom police have stormed the apartment of a popular Nigerian Tiktoker, Peller.

The police arrived at the Peller’s apartment following noise complaints.

A viral video on social media captured the moment the police arrived at Peller’s UK residence for a search.

The TikTok star who is currently in the UK was having a live streaming session when the police knocked at the door complaining that Peller was reported to have been making noise.

In response Peller told the police that he was on livestream, but the police insisted on checking the rooms to be sure he wasn’t having a shouting match with anyone.

Watch the video here

Entertainment

Why Some Celebrities Go Broke – Rapper M.I

Published

4 days ago

November 21, 2025

Editor

Ace Nigerian rapper Jude Abaga, popularly known as M.I, has shared how he handles people’s expectations from him as a celebrity.

The ‘One Naira’ hitmaker disclosed that he trained himself mentally to accept being “broke shamed” so as not to pressure himself into constantly proving that he has a flamboyant life.

Speaking in a recent interview with Chude, M.I explained that many celebrities became broke while living beyond their means just to adjust to people’s expectations.

“When I understood that people in Nigeria tend to broke shame celebrities, I had to make a decision if I want to let that have power over me. Because if you don’t deal with that, it will have exceeding power over you.

“If you are not comfortable with the fact that some fans can broke shame you if they see you driving a car they consider below your level, then you are going to continue adjusting to their expectations. And that is how you go broke. You go broke trying to adjust to people’s expectations.

“One of the things that Nigerians are concerned about is their perceptions. And statistically, we are a country where most people don’t have money. It took me time to mentally prepare myself to accept being broke shamed. All our celebrities who were flying private jets 20 years ago are no longer affluent,” he expressed.