After her viral song “Water”, it is only decent to capture details about the South African singer, Tyla, who had everyone, young and old alike, dancing to her sensational track.
It’s been less than six months since she released the track, and it appears that Tyla has an incredible face for pop stardom, as well as putting South Africa on the global map, with her music singing style.
Here are 10 things you need to know about the “Water” crooner:
1. Tyla is a South African breed
Tyla’s full name is Tyla Laura Seethai, and was born on the 20th of January, 2002, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The fast rising South African singer known for putting South African music on international stages, started her musical career professionally at age 17.
2. Once gave up on music
Her loving parents had supported and encouraged her talent growing up, but didn’t see it much more than an hobby that attain greatest fulfilment in performing at ceremonies and gatherings, which they did a lot of time for her growing up, they gave her the spotlight to shine, by allowing her perform at various event. They couldn’t see the possibility of a South African girl achieving great feat in music. Having an aunt who failed to defile the odd had been a catalyst further fuelling their paranoia. Tyla succumbing to pressure, had given up on music for an “actual job”, she had resumed work in her pencil skirt and shirt when the realization hit that music was what she wanted and couldn’t see herself doing anything else.
3. Was aired by every celebrity she sent her demo to
Having decided she was going to pursue a career in music, being an ambitious lady who knew what she wanted, she took the bull by its horn by posting videos of herself singing, online and sending her demos to celebrities, no DM with a blue tick was safe from her unsolicited demos, unfortunately none of the DMs was acknowledged. One of the celebrities she had send her demo to was American singer, Normani, who has reached out to her after “Water” earned her international recognition.
4. Her “no budget” debut music video “Getting Late” earned her her first nomination
Worthy of note and commendation is Tyla’s first music video. Without a name and financial resources, the South African pop star,, armed with her resilience and determination had not been paralyzed by the rejections from every celebrity she had trusted with her dream, but determined, she put her debut “Getting Late” out in 2019, at the age of 17, featuring Kooldrink, a South African Disc Jorkey (DJ), Sound engineer and record producer. The music video was shot in Johannesburg and Cape town with no financial resources, Tyla and her team had have to make do with whatever they had to make the video, interrupted by corona virus, which spanned from 2019 to 2020,the video was finally released in 2021, which received huge acclaim locally and earned her a spot in the South African music industry, and her first nomination from South African Music Awards, in 2022. Although she didn’t win the award, she was getting the recognition she deserved.
5. She is signed to Epic Records
Following the domestic success of her debut single “Getting late”, the promising singer was signed to Epic Records label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment, in 2021. Subsequently Tyla has released seven songs such as, Girl Next Door, Been Thinking, To last, Girls Need Love, Amawele, Overdue and global sensation Water, which has won her several nominations and an award so far.
6. Her song “Overdue” was used as soundtrack on Netflix’s Blood and Water
Tyla’s single Overdue, featuring South African Disc jockey, Dj Lag and Kooldrink, was used as a soundtrack in South Africa’s Netflix series, Blood and Water, an investigative drama series, telling the story of a teenager, Puleng, trying to uncover her family’s secret, the secret behind her missing sister, Fikile’s kidnap and illegal adoption.
7. She is inspired by Beyonce
Super stars are born not made. Beyonce’s achievements remain unparallel and a feat only a few can dare dream to attain. But South African’s princess Tyla dare see herself on stages Beyonce had been on and conquered, and delivering equal enthralling performance. Tyla confidence and drive definitely puts her on track to performing like the Queen herself, although she still has a long way to go before she can be put on the same pedal stone as Beyonce, but she dream her name would be mentioned side by side Beyonce’s someday.
8. Her dream collaborations are Rema, Chloe x Halle, Beyonce
Tyla keeps proving she is a force to reckon with, and they say likes attract, little wonder she is gravitated to forces like herself in the international scene, who started early on their musical career and has risen to stardom due to undeniable prowess and hard work.
9. Was on a tour with Chris Brown
Overwhelming feat achieved in four years into her career. Tyla was on a tour with American legendary singer, songwriter, rapper and dancer, Chris Brown. She had opened for him by performing “Water” at the O2 arena, a testament to the biblical saying, “seeth a man diligence in his business, he will stand before kings and not mean men”.
10. She is nominated for 2024 Grammy
Tyla’s latest single “Water” took the world by a storm, after a video she had posted on TikTok had spread like wide fire. The song and dance challenge had dominated TikTok, going on to topping music charts worldwide, “Water” made top 10 hit in the UK and the first song of a South African soloist to enter US Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years. “Water” has been pivotal to her international prominence; it won her her first musical award in The African Entertainment Awards USA, as the Best Female Artist and earned her her first Grammy nomination in The Best African Music Performance Category, alongside Nigerian artiste like Davido, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Asake and Olamide.
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