Tyla

Tyla Laura Seethal, known simply as Tyla, is a South African singer, songwriter, and dancer who has rapidly emerged as one of the most exciting new voices in global pop music. Born on January 30, 2002, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tyla is of Zulu, Indian, Mauritian, and Irish descent. She grew up listening to a mix of Afrobeats, amapiano, R&B, and pop music, influences that would come to define her unique sound. She gained initial attention in South Africa with her 2019 single “Getting Late” featuring Kooldrink, which went viral on social media.

Tyla’s international breakthrough came with the release of “Water” in July 2023. The song, built on an infectious amapiano beat with pop and R&B flourishes, went massively viral on TikTok and social media platforms. “Water” climbed to number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, making Tyla the first South African solo artist to reach the top 10 of the chart. The song also topped charts across Africa, Europe, and Asia, and its accompanying dance challenge became one of the most replicated trends on social media in 2023.

Her self-titled debut album, Tyla, was released in March 2024 to critical and commercial acclaim. The album featured collaborations with Travis Scott and Gunna and showcased her ability to blend amapiano rhythms with global pop sensibilities. At the 2024 Grammy Awards, Tyla won the inaugural Best African Music Performance award for “Water,” a historic moment that she celebrated on stage. The win made her one of the youngest Grammy winners in recent years and solidified her role as a pioneer bringing African sounds to mainstream global audiences.

Tyla has been credited with popularizing the “popiano” genre, a fusion of pop and amapiano, on the world stage. She has secured brand partnerships with major companies and has been featured on the covers of prestigious fashion and music magazines. Her live performances, characterized by dynamic choreography and charismatic energy, have earned her a devoted global fanbase. She is widely regarded as one of the artists most likely to shape the future of pop music in the coming decade.