The industry was rocked by a single tweet sent out by Rihanna’s official account, which read, “Imitation is not flattery, it’s theft.” You’ve been warned, @Tyla.

Although the message was unclear, it was definitely addressed to Tyla, whose most recent release was eerily similar to one of Rihanna’s biggest hits. Soon after, listeners began comparing the two songs, pointing out similar themes and melodies. But Tyla’s recent public appearances appeared to mimic Rihanna’s legendary fashion choices, from her daring hairstyles to her unique makeup looks, so it wasn’t just the music that attracted attention.

Rihanna Calls Out Tyla for Song Theft and Copying Looks: A Tale of Artistic Integrity 

Rihanna said nothing while rumours circulated, allowing her scathing tweet to do the talking. The music industry held its breath, anticipating Tyla’s answer.

The accusation was like a kick to the belly for Tyla. Since she was a little child, she had looked up to Rihanna as a fashion icon and source of musical inspiration. Her hero accusing her of copying his work was a nightmare come true.

Tyla made an effort to directly confront the accusations during a hurriedly scheduled press conference. She fought back tears as she argued that any similarities between Rihanna’s and her own work were accidental. She denied making any conscious attempts to imitate Rihanna’s style, instead claiming to have found influence from a diverse spectrum of musicians.

However, the harm had already been done. Because of the weight of Rihanna’s remarks, Tyla’s reputation suffered. The music industry was split; while some supported Tyla, others denounced her for supposedly lacking originality.

As the dispute continued, one thing became evident: plagiarism claims are not taken lightly in the competitive music industry. And Tyla would have a difficult time finding forgiveness as she battled to uphold her artistic integrity in the face of hardship.