Tyla

Who is Tyla?

Tyla, born Tyla Laura Seethal on 30 January 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa, is a singer and songwriter who has become one of the most prominent new voices in global pop. Her sound blends amapiano — the South African house style — with pop and R&B, a combination she has helped carry to audiences far beyond her home country.

Breakthrough with "Water"

Tyla's rise was defined by "Water", released in 2023. Powered by a viral dance and its distinctive amapiano-pop groove, the song became a global hit, reaching the top ten in the United States and many other markets, and turning Tyla into an international name almost overnight. It made her one of the youngest African artists to break through on that scale.

Grammy win and debut album

In 2024 "Water" won the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance, a landmark moment both for Tyla and for the category. Later that year she released her self-titled debut album, Tyla, which drew on amapiano, R&B, pop and Afrobeats and featured collaborations with a range of international artists.

A*Pop and "Is It Love"

In 2026 she announced her second studio album, A*Pop, set for release on 24 July through FAX and Epic Records. Its singles included "Chanel", "She Did It Again" with Zara Larsson, and "Is It Love", released on 19 June 2026 with a video directed by Aerin Moreno. The project builds on the genre-blending approach that made her name.

Beyond music

Tyla has become a fashion and style figure as well as a musician, appearing at major fashion events and building a strong visual identity around her releases. Her breakthrough also made her a symbol of a wider moment, as South African and broader African music reached unprecedented levels of global attention, and she has spoken often about wanting to carry her culture with her as her audience grows. That combination of sound, image and timing has made her one of the most talked-about young artists in the world.

Sound and style

Tyla's music is built on rhythm — the log-drum pulse of amapiano under smooth, pop-forward melodies and a light, agile vocal. She pairs that sound with a strong visual and dance identity, and her records tend to feel both distinctly South African and ready for global pop radio at once. That balance is central to her appeal and to her wider significance.

Awards and recognition

Beyond the Grammy, Tyla has been recognised across the major international award circuits and has been named among the most promising new artists in global music by outlets and institutions on several continents. Her rapid rise from a Johannesburg teenager posting clips online to an internationally touring headline artist has made her one of the defining breakout stories of her era.

Legacy

Still early in her career, Tyla has already helped push amapiano and South African pop onto the world stage, and she is frequently cited as a leading figure in the growing global reach of African music. Her success has opened doors for a new generation of artists working in the same space, and she is widely seen as proof that a distinctly African sound can top charts worldwide without being diluted for foreign audiences.