Tyla Laura Seethal began posting covers online as a teenager in Johannesburg, developing a distinctive sound blending South African amapiano with pop and R&B influences that would set her apart as a breakout artist.
Her single 'Water,' released in 2023, became a global sensation, blending amapiano rhythms with pop sensibility, reaching the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and introducing amapiano to mainstream international audiences on an unprecedented scale.
At the 2024 Grammy Awards, Tyla won the inaugural Best African Music Performance award for 'Water,' becoming the first-ever recipient of the category at just 22 years old, and one of South Africa's most significant contemporary music exports.
Tyla has continued building an international career, becoming one of the most prominent faces of amapiano's global rise and a significant symbol of South African music's growing mainstream international recognition.
- Won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance in 2024
- "Water" reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100
- Introduced amapiano to mainstream international audiences on an unprecedented scale
- Became one of South Africa's most significant contemporary music exports
- Achieved major international breakthrough success while still in her early twenties
- Online platforms can launch major international music careers. Her early online covers preceded her global breakthrough success.
- Genre fusion can achieve genuine mainstream international breakthrough. Her blend of amapiano with pop sensibility reached global chart success.
- Being first in a new award category carries lasting historic significance. Her Grammy win as the inaugural recipient established a permanent place in music history.
- Youth need not limit major international achievement. She achieved historic recognition while still in her early twenties.
- Grammy.com — Tyla wins Best African Music Performance
- CBS News — Tyla wins first Best African Music Performance award