In 2024, amongst the vibrant landscape of popular music, few artists have captured the world’s attention quite like Tyla. Hailing from Johannesburg (or Joburg as she calls it), South Africa, the singer has taken the industry by storm, transforming her African roots into a global phenomenon.
Tyla, born Tyla Seethal, grew up in a country rich in musical heritage. Inspired by the music of South African artists like Shekhinah and Zahara and the superstardom of artists like Britney Spears and Beyoncé, Tyla began her journey by writing songs and performing at local venues. The unique sound she created is a reflection of her roots infused with the rhythms and styles of R&B and pop.
The 22-year-old singer was motivated by young South African girls. In an interview with V Magazine she said, “When I was younger, I always wanted to see a South African girl doing the things that I wanted to do…Because being in South Africa, it didn’t seem possible [for me] at the time.”
Tyla was just 19 when her single “Getting Late,” featuring international sensation Kooldrink, came out. This would prove to be a big break for her as it quickly captured the attention of listeners not only in South Africa but beyond. The song and its visuals earned her a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim.
Following the release of “Getting Late,” Tyla signed with Epic Records in 2021, opening the doors for her to collaborate with popular producer Sammy SoSo. The two worked together on an Amapiano (a genre of house music that emerged in South Africa) song that mixed pop, R&B and afrobeats titled “Water.”
In “Water,” Tyla expresses her desire for a passionate and intimate connection coupled with captivating choreography that incorporates traditional South African dance moves. The tune quickly went viral, garnering millions of views and Tiktok videos positioning her as a leader amongst the new wave of Afro-pop artists.
“Water” earned Tyla a Grammy for Best African Music Performance. Shortly after the success of “Water,” she released her debut album “Tyla” which gave listeners hits like “Jump,” “Truth or Dare” and “ART” which collectively received over 300 million streams.
Tyla’s international success has led to her unique sound being replicated in various music markets. South Korea has fully embraced Tyla’s music, adding her fresh flavor to its music scene. Tyla had the opportunity to headline at the One Universe Festival in South Korea where the crowd sang along with the African star.
Multiple K-pop groups have released songs clearly inspired by Tyla’s South African style. Girl groups Le Sserafim and Kiss of Life released songs like “Smart” and “Sticky.” The songs were not only backed with an Afro-pop beat but were also coupled with a few of Tyla’s signature dance moves (lightly popping and whining). Tyla’s influence in the international market so early in her career proves to be a testament to how unique she is as an artist.
Tyla’s success has not been without controversy. Many think that her fame has succeeded many other young Afro artists like Ayra Starr and Tems due to her racial ambiguity. The topic of Tyla’s race has gotten her into a bit of trouble this year.
The South African star has always described herself as coloured, a term that has become outdated and diminishing for black people in America. Meanwhile in South Africa, the term coloured is designated for a multiracial ethnic group. Many black Americans thought that her use of the South African definition meant that she was denying her black heritage while also trying to appeal to the black American market. Tyla wrote in a post published to X, “Never denied my Blackness, idk where that came from,” when faced with backlash. “In Southa I would be classified as a Coloured woman and other places I would be classified as a Black woman. Race is classified differently in different parts of the world.”
Despite slight turmoil, Tyla’s journey from a local artist in South Africa to a global superstar is a testament to her talent and the universal appeal of her music. With the success of her recent release “Tyla Deluxe,” it is clear that listeners are desperately waiting to hear more of Tyla’s sound.
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