Rihanna has unintentionally reignited stan wars between the fan bases of South African singer Tyla and Nigerian star Ayra Starr after posting a clip soundtracked by Ayra’s hit single Who’s Dat Girl. The video, shared on her social media pages, immediately sparked intense reactions as fans debated whether the choice of song was a subtle show of support for Ayra amid ongoing comparisons with Tyla.
For months, supporters of both young Afrobeats divas have clashed online over who is the “new Rihanna,” with Tyla’s Grammy win and chart success drawing constant comparisons to Ayra’s own rise. Rihanna’s latest post, which prominently features Ayra’s collaboration with Rema, was quickly seized upon by Ayra’s fans as proof that their fave has the Bajan superstar’s stamp of approval.
On X and Instagram, Ayra’s supporters argued that the clip “ends the debate,” claiming Rihanna had effectively picked a side by spotlighting Who’s Dat Girl. Tyla’s fans pushed back, insisting that using a trending Afrobeats record in a fashion or beauty video does not amount to shading the South African singer or dismissing her achievements.
Some commentators also linked the uproar to viral footage from the Met Gala, where Rihanna appeared to briefly ignore Tyla on the carpet, a moment that many interpreted as frosty. That clip had already fuelled narratives of tension between the pair, making her subsequent use of Ayra’s song feel, to some fans, like a pointed statement rather than a coincidence.
Beyond the stan drama, the episode has once again highlighted how powerful Rihanna’s co sign can be for emerging artists. Streams and views for Who’s Dat Girl jumped after the video circulated, as more of her global audience went searching for the full track and its Meji Alabi directed visuals.
Meanwhile, more moderate voices in the debate have urged fans to stop pitting the two African stars against each other, noting that both Tyla and Ayra Starr are helping to expand Afrobeats and African pop on the world stage. They argue that Rihanna’s playlist choices should be seen as a win for the entire scene, rather than fuel for yet another social media rivalry.
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