Looks like Jason Derulo might not be welcome back to South Africa after an offensive remark he made while performing.

The singer was on stage at the South African of the Year Awards when he asked the audience: “Y’all speak English right?”

And despite the fact he was supposed to be the main attraction at the event, the Twitter quickly blew up with people talking about his remark, rather than his performance.

Unsurprisingly, there was a serious backlash against Jason with many locals taking to their Twitter accounts to slam the artists, however, Jason has since tweeted in a bid to explain himself.

Defending his actions, the star wrote: “”Speaking English” remark I made, was directed to a specific table.

“It wasn’t literal, just a figure of speech when someone isn’t responding.”

One user was so angry she suggested the Watcha Say hitmaker make a sharp exit: “Jason Derulo needs to leave our country right now. How dare he?”

Read more response below:

“Speaking English” remark I made, was directed to a specific table. It wasn’t literal, just a figure of speech when someone isn’t responding

— Jason Derulo (@jasonderulo) October 17, 2015

Did Jason Derulo, just ask “Yall speak English right” #SATY2015 pic.twitter.com/qhO8Nhfhhd

— Nkanyezi Kubheka (@NkanyeziKubheka) October 17, 2015

Jason Derulo is one of the millions of people who think that In Africa you can just bump into a lion on the streets

— Tomi Rikhotso (@TomiRecords) October 18, 2015

Jason Derulo asking South Africans if they can speak English? Can he even sing? Let’s start there ?

— Beyoncé of the Gays (@iKeepGaysHumble) October 17, 2015

Jason Derulo is one of the millions of people who think that In Africa you can just bump into a lion on the streets

— Tomi Rikhotso (@TomiRecords) October 18, 2015

When the organizers approached Jason Derulo what language did they speak? ?

— Shameless (@Mizzpeehkay) October 18, 2015