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.

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Entertainment

I’m Done – Peter Okoye Dumps Shared Birth Date With Twin Paul Okoye, Picks New Date

Published

17 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Editor

Peter Okoye, the Nigerian singer and songwriter popularly known as Mr P, has officially announced a change to his birthday celebration date.

This is an action which is now seen as a deep break from his twin brother, Paul Okoye.

In a post shared via his X account on Monday, the artist declared that November 18 will no longer be recognized as his birthday.

“I’m making it official. November 18th is no longer my birthday celebration date. Please note that I will not be accepting any messages or gifts on that day,” he wrote.

He added, “My birthday will now be celebrated on November 30th. This is a personal decision, and I truly appreciate your understanding.”

The announcement comes amid a lingering and increasingly public feud involving his twin brother Paul and their elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye.

Members of the once known as P-Square, Peter and Paul went their separate ways following intense disputes over management, finances, and allegations of betrayal.

Despite their much-publicized reunion in 2021, problems resurfaced, with Peter accusing Paul and Jude of marginalization and financial misconduct, while Paul countered by alleging that Peter reported them to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The long-running tension escalated in June 2025 when Peter declared he had completely severed ties with his family particularly his brothers.

Entertainment

Davido Confirms Joint Project With Chris Brown

Published

17 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Editor

Nigerian Afrobeats singer, Davido has confirmed that he has a joint project with American R&B star, Chris Brown scheduled for release next year.

Speaking in a recent episode of the Swift Conversations podcast, Davido explained that he is now focused on making more African-inclined, however, he’s still open to collaborating with American artists.

“The music I am making now is very African. In this next project, I am working with a lot of my original producers from back home.

“However, I am still an American so definitely there’s going to be collaborations. Me and Chris Brown got an album coming next year,” he stated.

Davido and Chris Brown first collaborated on the hit track ‘Blow My Mind’ in 2019. Since then the duo have collaborated on about five songs.

They have been hinting on a joint project for sometime now, with Davido first teasing it in 2023.

He revealed that they have a lot of unreleased songs together.

Entertainment

Davido Introduced Luxury, Flamboyant Lifestyle To Nigerian Music Industry – Sharon Adeleke Claims

Published

17 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Editor

Sharon Adeleke, sister of Afrobeats star. David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has claimed that the singer introduced luxury and flamboyant lifestyle into the Nigerian music industry.

She made the claim during the singer’s Apple Radio live takeover with family and friends to celebrate his 15th anniversary in the music industry.

“I think that David is one of the people that started all this being flashy and showing off and making it cool, in Nigeria,” she said.

Davido inferred: “When we came to Nigeria, Mo’Hits did it with like having a crew but you see how in America, every successful musician has a crew, his guys and all that.”

Sharon insisted: “You brought that. Nobody used to do that.”

Davido has repeatedly admitted being inspired by the defunct Mo’Hits, which was led by Don Jazzy and D’banj.

In previous interviews, he shared how he was inspired to do music by the Mo’Hits crew and spending sometime in their mansion when absconded from home after flouting his father’s order not to pursue music.