And Nigerians have every right to feel a type of way.
That was the first thing many Nigerians noticed when Tyla announced the African leg of her tour.
Within minutes, the screenshots started flying across X.
Trust Nigerians, we can turn disappointment into premium comedy in less than five minutes.
But beneath the jokes is a conversation worth having.
Nigerians Don’t Forget Easily
If there’s one thing Nigerians have, it’s memory.
Especially when it comes to moments that touched national pride.
Just last month, xenophobic attacks in South Africa left many Nigerians angry, disappointed and heartbroken.
Businesses were looted and destroyed.
Lives were affected.
Some even murdered
Families worried about loved ones.
Those images didn’t just disappear because time passed.
So whenever a South African celebrity becomes popular in Nigeria, these conversations have a way of resurfacing.
Fair or unfair, that’s simply how collective memory works.
Tyla Didn’t Start the Conversation, But She’s in It
To be clear, Tyla is not responsible for what happened during those attacks. We no argue am.
She’s an artist, not a government.
But fame comes with something many celebrities never ask for: A form of responsibility.
People expect you to represent where you come from.
That’s why every move is scrutinized.
Every interview is dissected.
Every country on a tour poster becomes a topic of debate.
Our own artist were denied entry into their country claiming visa issues.
So when Lagos was on her African tour list, some people didn’t just find that decision funny.
They saw symbolism.
Whether that interpretation is correct is another conversation entirely.
The Internet Doesn’t Separate the Artist From the Country
This is where things get interesting.
If a Nigerian artist skipped South Africa, do you think South Africans wouldn’t notice?
Of course they would.
That’s the nature of fandom.
Fans don’t always separate entertainment from emotion.
Sometimes a missing tour date feels personal, even when it probably isn’t.
But… Fear No Go Catch You Small?Ā
Now, let’s gist.
If my country’s citizens had once been attacked in another country, even years ago, I won’t lie, fear would catch me small.
Not because I believe everyone there is the same.
Not because I think history must repeat itself.
But because Nigerians overthink everything.
I’d be asking:
“Hope everywhere dey okay?”
“Hope my security tight?”
Again, that’s just human nature.
Maybe It’s Bigger Than Feelings
There are many reasons artists choose where to tour.
Promoters.
Venues.
Logistics.
Sponsorship.
Costs.
Demand.
And until Tyla or her team says otherwise, everything else is speculation.
But here’s what we do know.
Nigeria is one of Africa’s biggest music markets.
Nigerians stream.
Nigerians buy tickets.
Nigerians trend artists.
So it’s understandable that Tyla wanted to come perform in Nigeria.
Nigerians Will Complain… Then Still Stream the Music
If there’s one thing that’s predictable, it’s this.
Today we’ll complain.
Tomorrow we’ll argue.
Next week we’ll still be dancing to “Water.”
That’s just who we are.
Because Nigerians can drag you online and still know every lyric to your song.
It’s a talent, honestly.
Las Las
What really got Nigerians talking wasn’t just the presence of Nigeria on Tyla’s tour.
It was the fact that she had the audacity to put Lagos on her tour list and then quietly removed it from the updated one.
Omo, if you remove our name after we’ve already seen it, expect questions.
And because this is Nigeria, we won’t just notice, we’ll investigate, analyse screenshots, compare and somehow turn it into a national conversation before the end of the day.
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