Who Is Tyla?
Tyla is a South African singer-songwriter whose blend of amapiano, pop, R&B, and Afrobeats has made her one of the most prominent new voices in global music. Born Tyla Laura Seethal on January 30, 2002, in Johannesburg, she grew up in a musical family and began pursuing a career as a teenager.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tyla Laura Seethal |
| Date of Birth | January 30, 2002 |
| Place of Birth | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Profession | Singer, songwriter |
| Genres | Amapiano, pop, R&B, Afrobeats |
| Major Albums | TYLA (2024), A*POP (2026) |
For context on the wider culture that shaped her career, our guide to baddie culture provides useful background on female empowerment in entertainment.
Tyla’s Early Life and Interest in Music
Tyla grew up in a “big, huge family with thousands of aunties and uncles” and is the middle child of five. Her earliest memories of music include replaying her father’s recordings of Michael Jackson and Rihanna concerts on DVD.
As a child, she was already a performer in training, constantly asking her mother to take pictures of her and staging living room concerts. She describes herself as “that theatre kid, doing drama and choir, head of culture, just doing everything.”
Her parents gave her one year to pursue music before going to university. She spent that time writing songs, recording covers, and sending them to her favorite celebrities hoping for a breakthrough.
How Tyla Started Her Music Career
Tyla’s career began to take shape in 2019 when she released her debut single “Getting Late” featuring South African producer Kooldrink. The song’s music video, released in 2021, became a viral hit in South Africa and beyond, amassing over six million YouTube views.
The track’s success led to a label bidding war, and she signed with Epic Records in the United States in 2021. The song’s blend of amapiano rhythms with pop hooks and R&B vocals established the sonic template that would define her later work.
She continued releasing singles including “To Last” and “Overdue,” building her catalog and audience before her major breakthrough.
Tyla’s Musical Style
Tyla’s music is defined by her fusion of amapiano with pop and R&B. Amapiano is a South African subgenre of house music characterized by log drums, jazzy piano chords, and deep, loopable grooves. It emerged in the late 2010s through artists like Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa.
What distinguishes Tyla’s approach is her adaptation of amapiano for pop audiences. She kept the signature log drum segments and groove while shortening song durations and structuring tracks around clear verses, hooks, and bridges. This vocal-forward approach made the genre more accessible to listeners unfamiliar with its producer-led origins.
Her sound is not exclusively amapiano. It incorporates Afrobeats influences, Western pop songwriting, and R&B vocals, creating a style that appeals to both African and international audiences.
The Breakthrough of “Water”
“Water” was released in the summer of 2023 and became a defining moment in Tyla’s career. The song’s viral dance challenge on TikTok, featuring the Bacardi-style dance she helped choreograph, propelled it to global attention. A video of her performing the dance at a festival, where she poured water on herself, amassed over 21 million views.
The track reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, making Tyla the highest-charting African female solo musician in the chart’s history. It also hit No. 1 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs and Hip-Hop/R&B charts and was featured in over 1.5 million TikTok videos.
The song’s success demonstrated the potential for amapiano-influenced pop to achieve mainstream global recognition.
Tyla and the Grammy Breakthrough
At the 66th Grammy Awards in February 2024, Tyla won the inaugural Best African Music Performance award for “Water.” She was the first recipient of the category, which was introduced that year.
The win made her the youngest-ever African artist to win a Grammy. The category included nominations from established Nigerian artists, making her win particularly notable for a young South African artist.
In 2026, she won the Grammy for Best African Music Performance again for “Push 2 Start,” further cementing her recognition in the category.
Tyla’s Debut Album
Tyla released her self-titled debut album, TYLA, on March 22, 2024, through FAX and Epic Records. The 14-track project includes “Water,” its Travis Scott remix, and collaborations with Tems (“No. 1”), Gunna and Skillibeng (“Jump”), and Becky G (“On My Body”).
Other tracks include “Truth or Dare,” “On and On,” “Butterflies,” and “To Last.” The album showcases her range across amapiano, pop, R&B, and Afrobeats, demonstrating that her sound extends beyond her breakout single.
The album made her the highest-charting African female soloist in Billboard 200 history.
Tyla’s Major Songs and Collaborations
| Song | Release/Period | Collaborating Artist(s) | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getting Late | 2019 | Kooldrink | Debut single; established her sound |
| Water | 2023 | Solo | Breakthrough; Grammy winner; No. 7 Hot 100 |
| Truth or Dare | 2023/2024 | Solo | Album track showcasing pop-R&B range |
| Jump | 2024 | Gunna, Skillibeng | International collaboration; dance-focused |
| Push 2 Start | 2024 | Solo | Second Hot 100 entry; Grammy winner 2026 |
| CHANEL | 2025 | Solo | Third Hot 100 entry; first look from A*POP |
| SHE DID IT AGAIN | 2026 | Zara Larsson | Second single from A*POP |
Tyla’s Global Success
Tyla’s career has expanded significantly beyond South Africa. Her music has charted internationally, and she has performed at major events including the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, where she debuted “Push 2 Start” in October 2024.
She made her Met Gala debut in May 2024 in a sand-sculpted Balmain gown. In 2025, she was named a member of the Costume Institute Benefit Host Committee for the Met Gala honoring Black style.
She performed at Coachella in 2025 after postponing her original 2024 set due to a back injury. Her international touring and festival appearances have continued to expand her global audience.
Tyla and South African Amapiano
Tyla’s connection to amapiano is central to her artistic identity. Amapiano is a South African genre that blends deep house, jazz, and lounge music with South African influences. It emerged in the late 2010s and became a dominant force in South African club culture.
Tyla has been credited with introducing amapiano to many international listeners. Her approach preserves the genre’s signature elements while adapting them for pop audiences. She has spoken about wanting to bring African music to the world’s biggest stages and dispel the notion that all African artists make “Afrobeats.”
Her success has contributed to broader conversations about the global potential of regional African music.
Tyla’s Fashion and Pop-Culture Influence
Tyla’s visual identity and fashion presence have become part of her public profile. Her Met Gala appearances, magazine covers, and red-carpet looks have received significant fashion media attention.
Her music videos often feature vibrant, color-rich aesthetics that complement her sound. Her style has been noted for its blend of South African influences and international fashion sensibilities.
Tyla’s Evolution as an Artist
Tyla’s artistic evolution has moved from her early South African releases through the global breakthrough of “Water” to her debut album and beyond. Her second album, A*POP, released in July 2026, represents a new chapter.
She described the A*POP era as “unapologetic,” “confident,” and “global.” The album follows the singles “CHANEL” and “SHE DID IT AGAIN” featuring Zara Larsson. Her continued evolution suggests an artist committed to expanding her sound while maintaining her South African roots.
Why Tyla Represents a New Generation of Global Pop
Tyla’s career reflects broader trends in global music. Streaming platforms and social media have made it possible for artists from any region to reach international audiences. The viral success of “Water” on TikTok demonstrates how a dance challenge can propel a song to global recognition.
Her music also reflects a growing appetite for genre-blending and cross-cultural collaboration. By bringing amapiano influences into pop, she has contributed to the mainstreaming of South African sounds. Her collaborations with artists from different genres and regions further illustrate this global approach.
Observers have described her as part of a new generation of globally connected artists who do not need to dilute their regional identity to achieve international success.
Tyla’s Career Timeline
| Year | Career Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Born in Johannesburg, South Africa |
| 2019 | Releases debut single “Getting Late” with Kooldrink |
| 2021 | Signs with Epic Records |
| 2023 | Releases “Water”; viral breakthrough |
| 2024 | Wins inaugural Best African Music Performance Grammy; releases debut album TYLA |
| 2024 | Met Gala debut; Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show performance |
| 2025 | Coachella performance; releases “CHANEL” |
| 2026 | Releases “SHE DID IT AGAIN” with Zara Larsson; releases A*POP album; wins second Grammy |
Tyla’s Most Important Career Achievements
- Grammy Awards: Won inaugural Best African Music Performance for “Water” (2024); won Best African Music Performance for “Push 2 Start” (2026)
- Billboard Hot 100: “Water” peaked at No. 7; “Push 2 Start” at No. 88; “CHANEL” at No. 94; most solo entries by an African female artist
- Chart records: Highest-charting African female soloist in Billboard 200 history with TYLA
- International recognition: Billboard Women in Music Impact honoree (2025); Met Gala Host Committee (2025)
What Makes Tyla’s Music Different?
Tyla’s music is distinguished by its seamless fusion of amapiano with pop and R&B. The log drums and piano trails of amapiano provide a rhythmic foundation, while her vocal delivery and songwriting draw from pop and R&B traditions.
Her songs are structured for accessibility, with clear hooks and shorter durations that suit streaming and social media. This approach has allowed her to reach audiences who might not otherwise encounter amapiano. She has described her goal as bringing African music to global stages while maintaining its authenticity.
Conclusion
Tyla’s rise from Johannesburg to global pop stardom represents a significant moment in contemporary music. Her Grammy-winning breakthrough with “Water” and her debut album TYLA demonstrated that amapiano-influenced pop could achieve mainstream international success.
With her second album A*POP and continued Grammy recognition, she has established herself as a defining artist of her generation. Her career reflects broader changes in how music travels across borders, and her commitment to her South African roots has made her a cultural ambassador for amapiano and African music more broadly.