Tyla

At just 22, Tyla Laura Seethal from Johannesburg, South Africa, has become a globally known artist. Her groundbreaking single "Water," released mid 2023, amazingly mixed amapiano (a distinct South African music genre), R&B, and pop. “Water”  has an infectious beat and choreography, where dancers mimic pouring water down their backs while dancing, leading Tyla to gain her global recognition.

Tyla's song "Water" charted in over 30 countries, reaching No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 - making her the first South African solo artist to feature on the chart in 55 years. Her success culminated in becoming the first South African to win a VMA, securing the Best Afrobeats award in September 2024. While collecting her award at the VMA, she spoke against the ideology that Afrikan music must always be categorised under Afrobeats: “African music can be popular music too…(it) is so diverse, it's more than just Afrobeats!”

In her early days, she grew up listening to Aaliyah, Rihanna, and Adele, after which she started her music journey by posting singing videos online. Her 2019 debut single "Getting Late" led to a deal with Epic Records which quickly gained her recognition in the industry.

More recently, Tyla's debut album, “Tyla”, released in March 2024, features collaborations with artists like Tems, Gunna, and Becky G. Beautiful melodies in that album like 'Truth or Dare' and 'Art' really encapsulated the artistry of mixing different genres to make a unique sound that goes to the soul of the listeners. She often calls her unique sound "popiano," a fusion of pop and amapiano.

With her new sudden fame, Tyla acknowledges her role in bringing South African music to the global stage, saying, "More people are starting to know about South Africa now. They want to hear me say 'Yoh!' and they love the dancing." We do!

Surprisingly, Tyla was studying mining engineering and was urged to pursue her passion for singing after the opportunity presented itself. She noticed her true passion and pursued it. Be authentic to yourself and realize that no one is as much YOU as you are YOU!

~Maryam J-K Gadzama, Chief Editor 24/25 Committee