Tyla
Biography
Tyla Laura Seethal, known mononymously as Tyla, is a South African singer and songwriter born on January 30, 2002, in Johannesburg. Raised in a multiracial family of Zulu, Indian, Mauritian, and Irish descent, she grew up in a musical household. After graduating from Edenglen High School in 2019, where she was Head of Culture, she began pursuing music professionally by posting original songs and covers online. Initially, she planned to study mining engineering but convinced her parents to allow her a year to establish her music career.
Career Breakthrough
Tyla signed with Epic Records in 2021 following the domestic success of her 2019 debut single, "Getting Late". She gained international recognition with the release of her 2023 single "Water". The song became a global hit, entering the top ten in numerous countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. "Water" was the first song by a South African soloist to enter the US Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years and achieved double platinum status in the U.S. A viral TikTok dance challenge contributed to the song's widespread popularity. The track's success culminated in Tyla winning the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance in 2024, making her the youngest African artist to win a Grammy.
Debut Album and Musical Style
Tyla released her self-titled debut album on March 22, 2024, to critical acclaim. The album, which blends amapiano, pop, and R&B, debuted at number 24 on the US Billboard 200 chart. She has described her musical style as "popiano," a fusion of pop and amapiano. Her musical influences include Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Aaliyah, and Drake.
Accolades
Throughout her career, Tyla has received numerous awards. In addition to her Grammy Award, she has won an MTV Video Music Award, two BET Awards, and three MTV Europe Music Awards. She also received the Global Force Award at the first Billboard R&B's No. 1's event. In South Africa, she has won several South African Music Awards and was honored with the Global Icon award at the Metro FM Music Awards.