Tyla has hit back at “mean girl” accusations, insisting it’s just bluntness that’s being misunderstood.
The 24-year-old singer has earned the reputation after bursting onto the music scene, but said in an interview on The Ebro Show that it’s unfounded – and she’s just an honest person.
She said: “I like to think that I’m kind. I really am opinionated and blunt. Like, where I’m from… we just talk. Things aren’t that serious.”
The Grammy Award winner also said that she sometimes finds it difficult sticking to the expectations placed on her within the music industry – despite her managers trying to keep her on the straight and narrow.
She said: “My managers, they always try to like shackle me. They’re like, ‘Tyla, put your phone down. Stop making videos, stop talking.’
“And I should probably listen to them. But I don’t know. I just think it’s more interesting, you know? I still want to be a 24-year-old girl, you know?
“I don’t want being a pop star to stop my life and make me feel like now I’m in jail and I have to let things slide and all those things.”
Tyla is on the promo trail supporting the release of her new album APOP*, and also used the interview to explain the inspiration for the record.
She said: “APOP, African Pop. APOP* is literally me trying to extend the idea of what an African pop star looks like and what an African pop star sounds like.
“I really feel like now that I’m on my second album, I’m really excited to show how just diverse I am and how I grew up around so many different influences, and I really want to show that and share that.
“And with APOP*, it’s really just that, like, I bring the A to pop.”
The album is Tyla’s second, and features vocal appearances from stars including Zara Larsson.
And speaking to Ebony magazine about the record, Tyla said she it’s not part of a “blueprint” for her career.
She added: “Coming from where I come from, I am literally cutting down these bushes as I go. I’m creating it as I go. A*POP is so important to me because there are just so many layers to pop. It’s so broad.”