Caught in a culture war, South Africa's hottest music sensation Tyla is in the crossfire of an online debate over the word she uses to describe her racial identity - "coloured". But instead, her racial identity has stoked flames across the internet, most notably, in the US. Americans see the word as a slur, unlike Tyla's South African community, who see it as a part of their culture. Michael Morris, head of media at the South African Institute of Race Relations, says the history of the coloured community is complex, but "quintessentially South African". The star is further popularising the amapiano sound, itself a South African blend of styles: jazz, hip-hop, soul and slowed-down house music.

Source: The Star December 09, 2023 19:41 UTC