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

Shola Allyson Finally Reveals Why She Refuses To Reference Jesus In Her Songs [VIDEO]

Published

1 day ago

December 6, 2025

Editor

Nigerian songstress, Shola Allyson, has finally revealed why she does not mention the name of Jesus in all her songs.

Recall that Allyson, who is regarded as a gospel singer, was dragged on social media in March 2025 for not directly referencing ‘Jesus’ in all her songs.

Reacting to her critics in a post on X, the songstress stated that “No one can bully me into joining their darkness that looks like light because indolent souls find comfort in it”.

Finally revealing her reason for not mentioning Jesus in her songs, Shola Allyson on Saturday during her latest interview on Oyinmomo TV, stated that Jesus did not ask her to do PR for him.

She said “I’m not a religious singer. As I am, I have never introduced myself as a gospel singer. My name is Shola Allyson. I’m a singer”.

Interviewer; “Some people said you don’t mention ‘Jesus’ name’ in all your songs”.

She quickly responded “Jesus did not instruct us to mention his name in songs nor did Jesus ask us to do PR for Him”.

Watch video

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Entertainment

With G.O.A.T Concert, Wizkid Set To Shut Down Tafawa Balewa Square

Published

1 day ago

December 6, 2025

Editor

Afrobeats star and Starboy Record head honcho, Ibrahim Ayodeji Balogun, well known as Wizkid, is set to bring down the iconic Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) with his much-anticipated ‘Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T) Experience Concert’, a show already being positioned as one of the headline shows of this year’s ‘Detty December’ season.

Known for electrifying live shows and a catalogue packed with global hits, Wizkid concert experience is always a cultural phenomenon, with jaw-dropping performances, surprise collaborations, and an unforgettable connection with the audience.

Scheduled to hold on Sunday, December 28, the G.O.A.T experience concert according to industry insiders, is “long overdue and perfectly timed.”

For fans, the concert feels less like another show and more like a long-awaited homecoming from one of Africa’s most influential music exports. Recall that the Essence hitmaker has spent the past few years touring internationally and expanding his sound; hence, the G.O.A.T concert gives him a chance to reconnect physically with the city that raised him.

Lagos remains at the centre of his mythology: Surulere roots, mainland grind, and the early hustle that shaped him to be the superstar the world now knows.

Speaking on the preparations, the organisers said the G.O.A.T Concert is designed to celebrate Wizkid’s evolution over the past decade—from his breakout as a teenage sensation to his transformation into one of Africa’s most influential global artistes.

According to them, the goal is to deliver an “unforgettable night,” combining music, culture, and immersive production.

Entertainment

I’ve Helped More People Inusic Industry Than Olamide, Don Jazzy, Others – Portable Claims

Published

4 days ago

December 4, 2025

Editor

Controversial Nigerian singer Portable has claimed that he has assisted more people in the music industry than his colleagues Olamide, Don Jazzy, Wizkid and Davido.

Speaking in a video broadcast, the Zazu crooner stated that his assistance is not only limited to those in the music industry but also extends to the less privileged.

He explained that, unlike most of his colleagues who are egoistic, he associates freely with ordinary people and even identifies with them on social media.

Portable said, “Many Nigerian celebrities don’t post their fans even if they dance to their songs or promote them. But I repost every positive video about me.

“Even with your money, many celebrities won’t let you feature them as an upcoming artist. But I help people freely. I have helped more people in the music industry than Don Jazzy, Olamide, Wizkid, and Davido.

“Help is when you see a homeless person and take them home, shelter them, clothe and feed them. You also take them to their first studio session and pay for it. Anything other than that, you are just doing business. A lot of the people claiming that they are helping others in the music industry are just doing business.

“Most of the time, when the artists they are using for business decide to be independent or move forward, they label them ungrateful. How are they ungrateful? You only used them for business.”