'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMH/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAANqqL//EAB8QAAIABQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAAMEBRITITEyov/aAAgBAQABPwCumA3a11SEZW55sxhjzqLi/iG7HeP/xAAVEQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAv/aAAgBAgEBPwCX/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL/2gAIAQMBAT8Ap//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Tyla Laura Seethal professionally known as Tyla had her breakout in 2023 with the release of her pop anthem, Water. The 22-year-old South African is also credited for the popularization of Popiano—the blend of the Amapiano and Pop genres of music.
The singer in an interview with Elle Magazine, published in September 2024, spoke of how she came about the experimental sound:
“When amapiano would come on, we would see everybody’s moves just change. Seeing the energy of it…it felt so spiritual.”
She continued:
"I always wanted to mix it with other styles that I enjoy, like R&B and pop—and make it my own."
Trending
Tyla who started her music career by covering popular songs of artists including Justin Bieber on her social media platforms, has amassed a large following for her catchy music and stage presence. Her unique and experimental style earned her a Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 2024 ceremony—becoming the youngest person to win the award.
Her other achievements include two BET Awards, A Metro FM Music Award, three iHeartRadio Music Awards, and four South African Music Awards amongst others.
From social media covers to making history at the Grammys 2024, Tyla’s musical journey explored
1) 2019 to 2022: Her first single, Getting Late, and signing with Epic Records, amongst others
Tyla began her music career by uploading song covers on her Instagram and YouTube. In October 2019, she released her first single and first attempt at a fusion of Amapiano and pop, Getting Late, featuring Kooldrink.
The track was produced by Kooldrink and is based on a girl trying to express her love to a guy she’s interested in using lyrics:
"Baby, I know it's getting late/ And you don't wanna wait/ But I won't waste your time and I/ Baby, and I want you to know."
The song’s music video was released in January 2021 and racked up millions of views, making Tyla popular in her home country and eventually getting her signed to Epic Records in May 2021.
Following the success of her debut single, the singer released Overdue in October 2021 and To Last in November of the following year. Getting Late was later nominated for Best Music Video of the Year at the South African Music Awards in 2022.
2) 2023: The release of Been Thinking, Dolce & Gabbana performance, Under the Influence tour, and Water release, amongst others
Her rise to international stardom began with the release of the single, Been Thinking, in January 2023. The Amapiano and pop disco track became her first billboard-charting song and debuted at number 36 on the Mainstream R&B/ Hip-Hop Airplay, number 43 on the US Afrobeats Songs, and 27 on the US Rhythmic charts, respectively.
Pitchfork described Been Thinking as a:
"Slick club anthem that channels the seductive pop-R&B hits of mid-2000s Ciara and Rihanna."
Tyla scored her first international performance at the Dolce & Gabbana afterparty at the Milan Fashion Week in February 2023.
The songstress then joined Chris Brown as an opening act on his Under the Influence Tour which began in Ireland in February 2022 and ended in Jamaica in August 2023.
Tyla recounted how she came to join Chris Brown on his tour in an interview with Billboard published in October 2023:
"I was at Tricky Stewart’s Grammy party and the head of the label, Sylvia Rhone, came to me and asked me, “Do [you] want to open for Chris Brown on his Europe tour?” I didn’t even know what to do. I was like, “What?” I wasn’t even sure I was hearing her correctly. Obviously, I was like, “Yes".
In May 2023, the South African singer teamed up with Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Starr for the release of the single, Girl Next Door. The song peaked at number 35 on the US Afrobeats Songs chart upon its release.
The Been Thinking hitmaker went on to release her hit track, Water, in July 2023. A viral dance challenge accompanied the song’s release and resulted in Water peaking within the top ten of the charts in countries like the US and the UK.
Tyla became the first and youngest South African in 55 years, after Hugh Masekela, to feature on the US Billboard Hot 100. The music video for Water was released in October 2023 and amassed 3 million views on YouTube in just three days of its release. In October 2023, Tyla collaborated with singer, Summer Walker, on the latter’s Girls Need Love track.
3) 2024: Making history at the Grammy Awards, release of her debut album, BET and MTV Awards, amongst others
At the Grammy Awards 2024, Tyla became the first person to win the first Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance with Water and the youngest African to ever win a Grammy.
Her debut self-titled album was released in March 2024, featuring vocal contributions from artists such as Tems, Becky G, Gunna, Skillibeng, and Travis Scott. The album includes tracks such as Water, Truth or Dare, Art, Jump, and Breathe Me. Truth or Dare peaked at number 4 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and number 1 on the UK Afrobeats chart.
Another single, Jump, a fusion of Afrobeats, dancehall, and hip hop featuring Gunna and Skillibeng, reached number 1 on the UK Afrobeats chart and number 6 on the US World Digital Song Sales chart.
Tyla, the album, received generally positive reviews from critics who praised the singer for her fusion of musical styles like Afrobeat, Amapiano, pop, and R&B while remaining true to her South African roots. The album peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard 200 and number 2 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
In the interview with Billboard, Tyla commented on the rising popularity of the Amapiano sound of her home country, which she artfully incorporates with pop and R&B:
"I honestly feel like it’s going to be the next biggest thing in dance music. It’s going to be playing in all of the raves, all of the festivals. I feel like ‘piano is really going to take over that whole world."
Tyla received the most awards at the 2024 BET Awards alongside Usher and Victoria Monet in Los Angeles. She also performed her hit song, Jump, at the event. The 22-year-old singer also won Best Afrobeats Video Award at the recently-held MTV Music Video Award ceremony held on September 12, 2024.
The Tyla tour was originally scheduled to run from March to May 2024 but was cancelled due to the singer's injury. The singer has given updates about her recovery and is scheduled to perform at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in October 2024
