Something beautiful happened this week.
Tyla stepped onto a stage in Brooklyn, New York, alongside one of the biggest names in music history Shakira. They performed "Hips Don't Lie" together, and the chemistry between them was undeniable. Two women, two generations, two continents. And one unforgettable moment.
I loved every second of it.
But of course, the internet had to ruin it.
Because instead of simply celebrating what Shakira did, elevating a rising star, sharing her spotlight, showing genuine warmth people started using this moment to drag Rihanna. Again.
"Where was Rihanna when Tyla needed her?"
"Shakira did what Rihanna refused to do."
"Rihanna could never."
And I'm sorry, but I have to say something.
Rihanna doesn't owe Tyla anything.
Let me be clear I love Tyla. Her talent is undeniable. Her rise has been extraordinary. And yes, the Met Gala moment earlier this year was awkward to watch. Tyla stood nearby, Rihanna seemed occupied, and the internet made it into a whole scandal.
But here's what people keep forgetting: the music industry is not a friend group. It's a workplace.
Think about your own job. Do you have a deep personal connection with every colleague? Do you owe every junior employee your time, your mentorship, your platform? No. You don't. And neither does Rihanna.
Rihanna has been one of the greatest forces in music and fashion for nearly two decades. She has her own life, her own priorities, her own family. The fact that she wasn't in the mood to have an extended conversation at a high-pressure event like the Met Gala does not make her a villain.
Tyla didn't help herself either.
I'll say what others won't. The way some of Tyla's fans handled the Rihanna situation and at times, the way Tyla herself seemed to lean into the narrative didn't do her any favors. When you publicly position yourself as someone who was hurt by a bigger star, you're not just sharing your feelings. You're inviting a war between fanbases that nobody wins from.
Rihanna's fans came out swinging. Tyla's fans fired back. And suddenly a non-event at a gala became a months-long online feud that overshadowed Tyla's actual music.
That's not how you build a legacy. That's how you become a headline.
Shakira did something genuinely beautiful.
And that's what I want to come back to. Because what happened in Brooklyn wasn't just a performance it was a gesture.
Shakira didn't have to invite Tyla. She has Ed Sheeran. She has Burna Boy. She has her own name on the marquee. But she chose to share that stage, to hand Tyla a moment in front of thousands of people who might not have known her name before.
That's what real generosity looks like in this industry. Not obligation. Not PR strategy. Just one artist recognizing another and saying: you deserve to be here.
That's beautiful. And Tyla should hold onto that instead of letting the internet turn it into a weapon against someone who simply didn't feel like being her mentor that day.
The music industry is not a sitcom.
Artists don't all secretly love each other. They don't owe each other friendships, collaborations, or public validation. Rihanna may one day work with Tyla. Or she may never. Both outcomes are completely fine.
What's not fine is holding Rihanna to a standard we don't hold anyone else to, just because Tyla publicly admires her. Admiration is not a contract.
Shakira gave Tyla her flowers this week. That should be enough.
Let's celebrate that. And leave Rihanna alone.
Christ-Yvan 🛶