Tyla, the South African R&B star who dreams of conquering the world and the Grammy Awards

The new African music sensation comes from South Africa and is called Tyla. The 21-year-old singer from Johannesburg is causing a stir with her hit "Water". The Continent newspaper listed her as one of the Africans of the Year in 2023. 2024 could be the year of consecration with the release of his first album.

Tyla and Travis Scott (left) on November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles. Getty Images via AFP - PRESLEY ANN

By: RFI Follow

Advertising

Read More

With our correspondent in Johannesburg, Romain Chanson

It was with the title "Water" that everything exploded for Tyla. This hit has been listened to more than 200 million times on Spotify, choreographed on TikTok through the water challenge, which consists of twerking by pouring water on your buttocks. The track is in the running for a Grammy award in February.

Tyla dreams about it, as she said on television. "I want to be the biggest pop star and I want her to be African! I see myself on the biggest stages, winning the Grammies, collaborating with the Drakes and Rihanna of this world. I remember when I was little, I used to watch these people on TV, so I would like to be that person for other young people in Africa," she says.

From South Africa to conquering the whole world in less than a year. Tyla claims to belong to South Africa, but now she looks to the homeland of her idols, the United States. She has signed to the American label Epic Records, that of Travis Scott, the Black Eyed Peas and Sho Madjozi, the other successful South African artist.

All for her

Part of the reason Tyla's career is booming is because of his personality, says South African radio presenter DJ Sabby. To him, Tyla is a star seed. "You only have to look at her to see a star, it's undeniable, you can see it in her presence on stage. From a commercial point of view, she has everything going for her: she looks like a star, she sings like a star, she behaves like one," he says

Its particularity lies in its accent. "Some South African artists think they have to change their voice when they become internationally famous, but not it," says South African radio presenter DJ Sabby. It's really interesting. His musical DNA would be more R&B, but his style allows him to have a chameleon effect. She's able to adapt, mix genres and transcend any musical style, that's what she did with the artist Kooldrink on the track "Getting Late", it was a new form of amapiano, what I would call amapiano pop.

NewsletterGet all the latest international news straight to your inbox

Subscribe now

Keep up to date with all the latest international news by downloading the RFI app

Share:

Read on the same topics:

• South Africa
• Culture
• Music