Adele hosted Saturday Night Live over the weekend in what was a highly-anticipated event, with some even suggesting that she would debut her fourth album on the show.
But the singer decided against this because she wanted it to be a "standalone moment", the BBC reports.
However, one moment from the show stood out for less positive reasons: a skit about "Africa tourism", prompting backlash on social media after appearing to perpetuate racist stereotypes about black men.
The singer, who is rumored to be dating rapper Skepta was unable to keep a straight face as she delivered sexually laden innuendos like: "I found such a deep, deep connection here" and said visitors should witness "the massive bamboos."
Watch the controversial sketch below:Adele appeared in the sketch, which featured white women being carried by black men in the background, with Kate McKinnon, and Heidi Gardner, who played divorcées advertising African tourism.
However, while the sketch might have been intended to make people laugh, it did the opposite for many and they took to social media to slam its content, particularly in light of the #EndSARS movement, which is currently taking place in Nigeria.
One Twitter user wrote: "That Africa skit was tone def, insensitive and inappropriate. Men and women in Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa and The Democratic Republic of the Congo are fighting for their lives and to reduce the continent as sexual destination for white women is shameful [sic].
A second wrote: "That 'Africa' #SNL sketch was not good. It portrayed bad stereotypes of Black men and objectified them which is truly just not funny."
A third added: "Black men are so much more than horny white women's playthings. Bring money and sneakers? TRASH. Shame on you."
Meanwhile, some Twitter users slammed Adele, in particular, for her involvement in the "joke".
One wrote: "Adele, the woman dating black men and wearing Bantu knots, decided to be ok joining in on a skit about divorced white women going to Africa to fetishize black men?"
A second questioned: "A skit about white women going to Africa for sex tourism with Adele breaking character constantly because she can't control her laughter. Really???"
This comes after Adele first hit the headlines after commenting on her dramatic weight loss while hosting SNL.
"I know I look really, really different since you last saw me," the 32-year-old said as she took to the stage.
"But actually, because of all the Covid restrictions... I had to travel light and I could only bring half of me," she joked. "And this is the half I chose."
Adele has not yet responded to the criticism over the Africa sketch.