South African Grammy-winning singer Tyla has removed Lagos from the itinerary of her highly anticipated APOP World Tour, just weeks after announcing the Nigerian date. The Lagos concert, which was originally scheduled for December 22, disappeared from the singer’s official tour schedule on Friday following growing calls from some Nigerians to boycott the show over renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa.
A review of Tyla’s updated tour schedule shows performances across Europe, North America and South Africa remain intact, with the tour set to conclude in Cape Town on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 9. However, Lagos—the only Nigerian stop on the tour—is no longer listed. The decision follows intense online debate after the concert was announced, with many Nigerians questioning whether it was appropriate for a South African artist to perform in the country while reports of attacks on Nigerians in South Africa continue to emerge.
The controversy quickly divided public opinion. While some Nigerians insisted that South African entertainers should not be welcomed until stronger action is taken against xenophobic violence, others argued that artists should not be held responsible for political issues or the actions of individuals. Among those defending the singer was political activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, who urged Nigerians not to direct their anger at Tyla.
“No one should hold a talented musician like @Tyllaaaaaaa vicariously liable for the crimes of xenophobia,” Sowore wrote on X, adding that Nigerians should focus on those responsible for the attacks rather than the singer.
The debate intensified after social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, threatened to mobilise members of his “Ratel Movement” to stop the concert from taking place. In a statement shared on Facebook, he declared that Tyla’s show “will not be happening in Nigeria,” saying the movement was standing in solidarity with victims of xenophobic attacks and calling on South African celebrities who have remained silent on the issue to speak out.
Although Tyla has not publicly linked the cancellation to the backlash, the decision comes against the backdrop of renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa following reports of fresh xenophobic attacks and the deaths of Nigerian nationals, including Chika Ibe in Cape Town. While the singer has not been directly blamed for the violence, critics argued that, as one of South Africa’s biggest global stars, she had not publicly addressed the issue.
Tyla has enjoyed a close relationship with Nigeria’s music industry throughout her rise to international fame, collaborating with Afrobeats stars including Wizkid, Ayra Starr and Tems. Her decision to remove Lagos from the tour is therefore likely to disappoint many fans while also highlighting the growing intersection of entertainment and political activism.
The post Lagos No Longer Listed on Tyla’s ‘A*POP’ Album Tour Amid Boycott Calls from Nigerians appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
from Nigerian Entertainment Today https://ift.tt/E5w72nN
via IFTTT
Post a Comment