Tyla Laura Seethal, known simply as Tyla, is the South African singer whose amapiano-pop sound and magnetic stage presence made her one of music's fastest-rising stars. Her breakout single "Water" didn't just top charts worldwide, it rewrote the record books for African artists on the global stage.
Here are 10 verified facts about the singer, songwriter, and dancer putting South African pop on the map.
Tyla was born Tyla Laura Seethal on January 30, 2002, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Her breakout single "Water" reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, making her the highest-charting African female solo act in the chart's history.
"Water" made Tyla the first South African solo artist to enter the Billboard Hot 100 since Hugh Masekela's "Grazing in the Grass" in 1968, a gap of more than 55 years.
"Water" sparked a viral dance challenge on TikTok that helped fuel the song's global popularity.
Tyla has cited Michael Jackson, Aaliyah, and Rihanna among the artists who shaped her musical influences.
She has spoken about wanting to collaborate with major artists, including naming Beyoncé as a dream collaborator.
Tyla's debut single "Getting Late," produced by Kooldrink, was made on a shoestring budget and its music video was later nominated for Best Music Video of the Year at the 2022 South African Music Awards.
In 2023, Tyla signed a joint deal with Epic Records and her own label, Awe Records, launching her into the international spotlight.
Her 2021 track "Overdue," featuring DJ Lag and Kooldrink, was featured on Netflix's South African teen drama series "Blood & Water."
At the 2024 Grammy Awards, Tyla won the very first Best African Music Performance award for "Water," beating nominees including Burna Boy, Davido, and Ayra Starr.
Tyla grew up immersed in South Africa's diverse music and dance traditions, which she credits as a major influence on her artistry.
She is closely involved in her own creative process, co-writing her music and helping shape the visuals and choreography for her videos.
Tyla helped popularize amapiano, a South African house-music subgenre, to mainstream global audiences through songs like "Water."
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