Da LES Calls Tyla's Fairytale on A-Pop Album 'Lame' in Viral Podcast Clip

• Da LES sparked online debate after sharing his strong opinion on Tyla's Fairytale remake during a podcast episode
• The rapper and fellow artist Maggz agreed the Liquideep cover felt 'too soon', given how much South Africans still love the original
• Tyla's fans hit back at Da LES, questioning whether his opinion even carries weight

South African rapper Da LES is in hot water after a podcast clip of him dismissing Tyla's rendition of Fairytale went viral, drawing the wrath of the Grammy-winning artist's fanbase.

During an episode of Real Stuff with Da L.E.S & Maggz, which aired on 12 August 2026, Da LES did not hold back when the conversation turned to Tyla's A-Pop album. The rapper called her cover of Liquideep's beloved hit Fairytale "lame," and his co-host Maggz largely agreed with the sentiment.

Da LES and Maggz unpack

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Da LES's main gripe was less about Tyla's vocal ability and more about timing. He called the song lame! His partner, Maggz, argued that South Africans are still actively enjoying the original Liquideep track in house spaces and at events, making a remake feel premature. "It feels too soon to be remaking that song, because we are still enjoying it," he said during the conversation.

Les did soften his stance slightly, adding, "I don't think it's a bad song," before suggesting the collaboration could have been better spent on fresh material rather than revisiting a track that still resonates so strongly with local audiences. "I think they should have just worked on a brand new song," he said.

Da LES also speculated on Tyla's motivation, suggesting she may have had a deep personal connection to the song from an early age. "It looks like to me, she loved that song so much she put it on the album," he remarked.

Watch the podcast clip that set Tyla's fans off:

Mzansi claps back at Da Les

Tyla's supporters were not about to let the comments slide. The reactions poured in almost immediately after the clip circulated on X:

@lawryn_dee: "I had to go and give him a piece of my mind"

@lekgethoshaii: "I need him lashed"

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@simamkelemasala: "Who even cares what Da Les has to say pls😭😭"

@ABiyase5006: "I'm sure Tyla just wanted the world to recognise Liquideep and the song to get the recognition it deserves, lame of him to diss the song"

The pushback highlights just how fiercely protective fans have become of Tyla's sophomore studio album, with many arguing that her inclusion of Fairytale was an act of tribute to South African music rather than a creative shortcut.

Tyla tops charts in Nigeria

In a previous report from Briefly News, X user @carterdalast called out South African fans after Spotify data revealed Lagos ranks 2nd among Tyla's top listening cities globally

The data surfaced days after Tyla dropped her Lagos concert date following threats from Nigerians over her silence on xenophobic attacks in South Africa

South Africa's Johannesburg appeared at number 9 on the list, reigniting a heated online debate between Nigerian and South African fans

Source: Briefly News