Tyla Biography

Tyla, born Tyla Laura Seethal on 30 January 2002, is a South African singer and songwriter who has emerged as one of the most influential African artists of the 2020s. She is internationally recognised for her genre-blending sound, often described as popiano — a fusion of global pop, R&B, Afrobeats, and South African amapiano.

Tyla rose to worldwide fame following the viral success of her hit single “Water”, which propelled her onto major international charts and earned her historic music awards. Today, she is regarded as a key figure in the global expansion of modern African pop music.

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Early Life and Background

Tyla Laura Seethal was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, specifically in the Edenvale area. She comes from a culturally diverse background with Indian, Zulu, Irish, and Mauritian heritage, which has influenced her musical identity and global appeal.

She attended Edenglen High School, where she balanced academics with her growing passion for music. During her teenage years, Tyla shared singing videos and original music snippets online, gradually building an audience before officially entering the music industry in 2019.

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Music Career Beginnings

Tyla began her professional music journey in 2019 with the release of her debut single “Getting Late”, featuring South African producer Kooldrink. The song gained traction locally and helped position her as a rising talent within South Africa’s pop and R&B scene.

Her early success led to a major breakthrough in 2021, when she signed a recording deal with Epic Records, marking the start of her international career and global distribution.

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Global Breakthrough With “Water”

In 2023, Tyla released “Water”, the song that would transform her career. The track went viral on TikTok, sparking a global dance trend and rapidly gaining traction across streaming platforms.

“Water” achieved several historic milestones:

• Entered the US Billboard Hot 100, making Tyla the first South African solo artist in over 50 years to do so
• Charted in multiple countries worldwide
• Surpassed one billion streams across platforms

The song’s success positioned Tyla as a breakout global star and introduced amapiano-influenced pop to mainstream international audiences.

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Awards and Achievements

Tyla’s rapid rise has been accompanied by significant industry recognition:

• Grammy Award (2024) – Winner of the first-ever Best African Music Performance category for “Water”
• MTV Europe Music Awards – Multiple wins and performances
• Billboard chart success across the US, UK, and Europe
• Became the youngest African artist to win a Grammy in her category

These achievements cemented her status as one of Africa’s most successful modern music exports.

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Debut Album: Tyla (2024)

In March 2024, Tyla released her self-titled debut album, Tyla. The album showcased her versatility, blending pop, R&B, Afrobeats, and amapiano across a polished, internationally appealing sound.

The album received positive critical reception and charted internationally, further strengthening her presence in global music markets and expanding her fan base beyond Africa.

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Musical Style and Influence

Tyla’s sound is widely described as genre-defying, combining:

• Pop
• R&B
• Afrobeats
• Amapiano

Her music is often labelled popiano, reflecting her ability to introduce South African rhythms into mainstream pop. Beyond music, Tyla has become a cultural trendsetter, influencing fashion, dance, and youth culture worldwide.

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Cultural Impact and Legacy

Despite her young age, Tyla has already reshaped global perceptions of African pop music. Her success has opened doors for other African artists and highlighted South Africa’s influence in shaping contemporary global soundscapes.

With continued international performances, chart success, and award recognition, Tyla is widely regarded as one of the most important African artists of her generation.

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Tyla Quick Facts

Born: 30 January 2002
Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa
Genres: Pop, R&B, Afrobeats, Amapiano
Debut single: Getting Late (2019)
Breakthrough song: Water (2023)
Debut album: Tyla (2024)