DistantNews

Rihanna’s ‘Who’s Dat Girl’ video fuels Tyla, Ayra Starr fan rivalry

From The Punch · (4m ago) English Mixed tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A video posted by Rihanna using Ayra Starr's song 'Who's Dat Girl' has intensified a rivalry between fans of Nigerian singer Ayra Starr and South African artist Tyla.
  • The situation escalated after a perceived awkward encounter between Rihanna and Tyla at the Met Gala, which social media users interpreted as Rihanna subtly favoring Ayra Starr.
  • This online debate has revived comparisons between the two artists regarding awards, streaming numbers, and global success, though both singers have downplayed any personal feud.

The digital realm has once again become a battleground for fan rivalries, this time fueled by a seemingly innocuous social media post from global superstar Rihanna. Her use of Ayra Starr's hit song 'Who's Dat Girl' as background audio in a video has ignited a firestorm among fans of both Ayra Starr and South African artist Tyla, highlighting the passionate and often contentious nature of fan culture in the music industry.

No way she used ‘Who’s that girl’ by Ayra Starr in this video nah, Rihanna is messy.

— #NuJhayhneInterpreting Rihanna's video choice as a deliberate act.

This latest episode follows a widely discussed moment at the Met Gala where Tyla appeared to be ignored by Rihanna. Social media users quickly interpreted Rihanna's subsequent video featuring Ayra Starr's music as a deliberate slight against Tyla, sparking heated exchanges online. This narrative, whether accurate or not, taps into existing comparisons between the two rising Afrobeats and Amapiano stars, often pitting them against each other in terms of awards, chart performance, and global recognition.

The only girl recognised by Rihanna. Who’s the other girl?

— #UpdateboyxSuggesting Rihanna's preference for Ayra Starr over Tyla.

From a Nigerian perspective, this situation is particularly interesting as it showcases Ayra Starr's growing international presence and the fierce loyalty of her fanbase. While international coverage might focus on the celebrity drama, for fans in Nigeria and across Africa, it's a moment to celebrate Ayra Starr's music being recognized on a global stage, even if indirectly. Both artists, however, have consistently maintained that there is no personal animosity between them, urging fans to refrain from fueling unnecessary conflict. This incident, therefore, serves as a potent reminder of the power of social media to amplify both artistic success and fan-driven narratives.

She still chose Ayra Starr’s ‘Who’s that girl’ let those delusional fans of that same beat girl choke!!

— #ace_ofPhranceExpressing strong support for Ayra Starr and criticism of Tyla's fans.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.