Miriam Makeba is gone. Brenda Fassie is gone. Zahara is gone but anotherSourh African superstar, rises. Her name is Tyla..
Young Tyla (full name Laura Seethal) mononymously known as Tyla, is a South African singer and songwriter. Her musical style is characterised by a fusion of pop and Amapiano, with many publications dubbing her “Queen of Popiano”.’
Tyla is a 23 year old South Africa’s first global pop superstar bringing the infectious energy of Soweto dance floors to the world.
If you will recall, South African Singer, Tyla won the inaugural “Best African Music Performance Category’’ at The 2024 Grammys.
What does Tyla’s win mean for African music on the global Stage?
While Afrobeats and Amapiano are certainly crossing over in America and in the United Kingdom as evidenced by her performance in front of over 50,000 people at the Notting Hill Carnival last month, Tyla’s win reflects how Western influence is often necessary for African music to transcend the continent. There is a mixture of Western pop beats in both Afrobeats and Amapiano in her music.
At the Grammys, the then 22-year-old outshone notable Nigerian contenders, including Davido, Asake, and Burna Boy. Tyla’s chart-topping track Water emerged victorious over songs by Davido, Asake, Burna Boy, and Ayra Starr. In the past 10 years notable Grammy entrances were from West Africa, but last year it is South Africa that made it through the outstanding achievement from Tyla.
It marks the inaugural year of the Best African Music Performance category at the Grammy Awards.
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South Africa has had the largest number of Grammy wins since the inception of the African Music Performance category.
Growing up in Johannesburg, Tyla jumped at any opportunity that gave her a chance to perform from primary school talent shows to fashion runways making sure that everyone present would pay attention. Her family sings, dances and plays musical instruments. Her grandmother used to enter singing competitions to win money and cigarettes.
Despite her international success, Tyla stays grounded in Johnnesburg surrounded by friends and family who keep the fame from going to her head. As she puts it: “My mum tells me straight. You are not a superstar in my house.” I clean my room; I cook, I do everything I need to do in the house. I am back to normal. It helps me too that celebrity status in South Africä does not come with the trappings of fame in the UK or the US. We do not have paparazzi here in South Africa and you see superstars at the mall every weekend. It’s kind of chill”.
Tyla’s music pushes boundaries. Infused with her vibrant personality, her songs offer an innovative take on pop and R&B, shimmering with the euphoria of Amapiano (Popiano as it is called in her case).
The discography of this South African singer and songwriter Tyla, comprises one studio album, two EPs, seventeen singles (including three as a featured artist), four and seventeen music videos.
Tyla released her debut self-titled album on March 22, 2024, which incorporated her digital EP of the same name released on 1 December 2023, it debuted at number 24 on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album was supported by four singles: Water, which reached the top 10 in multiple countries and earned multi- platinum certifications in several regions, Truth Or Dare, Art and Jump. The deluxe edition of the album, released on 11 October 2024, was certified gold in Norway and included the single Push2Start, which debuted at number 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 2025, as Tyla prepared for debut mixtape’s release, she contributed to a film soundtrack and collaborated with several artistes. Tyla appeared on “PBT”, a single from the second compilation album by American rapper Travis Scott and the Jack Boys .
Tyla debuted Bliss, her first solo single since her 2024 self-titled debut studio album, on 9 May 2025, after an unauthorised tease during her April Coachella set. The single reached number 34 on the South African charts and number 4 on the UK Afrobeats Chart.
On 11 July 2025, Tyla released Is It accompanied by a music video directed by Aerin Moreno, who also directed Push 2 Start. Is It garnered 1,274,357 Spotify streams in its first 24 hours, marking Tyla’s biggest platform debut as of July 2025, with its YouTube video amassing 762,000 views on release day. The track topped the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart and reached number 7 in South Africa. In July 2025, Tyla announced a mixtape featuring Bliss and Is It via social media with a pre-save link. Marketed as We Wanna Party, Tyla’s second EP, WWP was released on only last month, 25 July 2025, featuring Nigerian singer Wizkid. The EP earned positive reviews, with critics praising Tyla’s vocal performance, though some noted her coloured identity (mixed race) might affect her US reception. However, WWP faced criticism for not charting on the US Billboard 200, selling 3,700 units in its first week.
Tyla is still young and her future as an upcoming star is guaranteed. She has already upstaged many established stars in South Africa, The United Kingdom and the United States of America
If Jeffery John Chavunduka (better known as J.J.) a music promoter who was based in Bulawayo, was still alive, I am sure he would have jumped at the opportunity to bring Tyla for performances in Zimbabwe. Now that opportunity is left up to Tich Mharadze owner of Odyssey in Kadoma, Josh Hozheri, Biggie Chinoperekwei, Chipaz (Patson Chimbodza), Gateway Stream and the Association of Music Promoters in Zimbabwe (AMPZ) who all have had a go in the past at promoting music events in Zimbabwe to make young Tyla happen here.
Already, the DJ’s are playing Tyla’s music on our radio stations and every now and again, her videos appear on networks such as YouTube, streaming services like Spotify, MTV, VEVO and XITE.
These networks often feature music from various genres and artistes, and some provide additional programming.
It is a matter of time before we see this diva performing in Zimbabwe.
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