Cardi B Defends Tyla Again: Why the Internet Won’t Let South Africa’s Star Breathe

“Y’all criticise so much, you don’t even realise you’re bullying this girl.”

When Cardi B jumps on a livestream to rant, people listen. But her latest X Spaces session wasn’t about beefs or bars; it was a raw, unfiltered stand in defence of South Africa’s Tyla, who once again found herself drowning in a wave of online hate.

Cardi didn’t mince her words.

“People been dragging the sh*t out of Tyla,” she said. “And it’s like, the girl doesn’t even address or talk about anything.” Her frustration was palpable. The Bronx-born rapper wasn’t just venting; she was putting the internet on notice for what she called straight-up bullying.

Why is Tyla always trending for the wrong reasons?

It’s been a wild ride for the 23-year-old Grammy winner, who shot to global fame with her infectious blend of amapiano and pop. But instead of just celebrating her, social media seems obsessed with tearing her down, and no one seems to know why.

Recently, a TikTok creator reignited the scrutiny, claiming Tyla hadn’t “quite connected with the US audience” and that her latest mixtape, We Wanna Party, wasn’t “doing numbers” despite heavy promotion. For an artist who’s made history as the first South African soloist in decades to chart globally, the criticism felt off.

Cardi clearly agreed. “Every time I scroll down on TikTok, there’s a video of her, and people are talking sht,” she said. “Goddamn, what do you want her to fing do? Cut her f*ing veins?”

That line hit like a gut punch and sparked both applause and concern online. Many praised Cardi for calling out the toxicity, while others felt the harsh language underscored just how bad things have gotten for young women in the spotlight.

The cultural clash behind the criticism

Tyla’s challenges in the US go beyond streaming stats. In 2024, she sparked a storm after using the term “coloured” to describe herself on The Breakfast Club, not realising the term is a slur in the US. In South Africa, however, “coloured” refers to a specific mixed-race identity with deep historical context.

That cultural misunderstanding opened the floodgates. American audiences questioned her Black identity, accused her of distancing herself from Blackness, and even suggested her lack of chart success was due to minimal support from the US Black community.

Tyla later clarified in Variety: “I’m both coloured in South Africa and a Black woman.” But by then, the narrative had already spiralled.

Cardi’s not new to this

This isn’t the first time Cardi B has stepped in for Tyla. Back in 2024, after Tyla asked Lil Nas X to hold her VMA trophy during her speech, the internet dubbed her “an entitled African” and “uppity.” Even Joe Budden chimed in with criticism.

Cardi shut it down immediately, pointing out the trophy’s weight and the cultural context. “Y’all criticise so much that you’re not even realising you’re bullying this girl,” she said then, and now she’s repeating herself.

Why Cardi’s voice matters

Love her or not, Cardi B commands influence. When she speaks up, especially on issues like celebrity mental health, racism, and social media toxicity, people listen. And when she defends Tyla, she’s not just backing a fellow artist; she’s spotlighting the way young, Black, global stars are scrutinised through a distorted, often Americanised lens.

South Africans are proud of Tyla’s success. Her Grammy win felt like a win for the whole continent. But with success has come a level of international exposure that’s not always kind, especially when cultural differences are weaponised for clicks.

Cardi’s bold defence reminds us that it’s easy to dehumanise stars from behind a screen until someone with a big enough mic calls it out.

Also read: Khaki Fever Brings Saucy Laughs and Bushveld Chaos to South African Screens

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Source: IOL

Featured Image: Complex