In the dynamic world of music, few stories captivate as much as the meteoric rise of South African sensation, Tyla. The 21-year-old singer and Amapiano/Pop star has become the pride of South Africa, with her hit single, “Water,” achieving remarkable success and earning her a well-deserved GRAMMY award nomination for “Best African Music Performance.” Tyla’s journey to the top has been nothing short of extraordinary. The pinnacle of her success came just before her departure to Los Angeles for the GRAMMY ceremony, where “Water” competes for the prestigious award. The single recently attained platinum certification, marking yet another milestone in Tyla’s burgeoning career.

This accomplishment is part of a series of triumphs for Tyla, establishing her as one of the brightest stars in the music industry over the past year. “Water” not only dominated various global Billboard charts, securing Top 20 placements, but also received multi-platinum certifications in South Africa (3x) and Brazil (2x). The song achieved platinum status in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland, while also garnering gold certifications in the UK, France, Portugal, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Greece, Turkey, and Belgium. It’s evident that “Water” has become a massive global hit in every sense.

In the United States, Tyla’s success reached new heights as “Water” peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, making her the highest-charting African female soloist in Hot 100 history—a testament to her undeniable talent and broad appeal. Adding to the accolades, “Water” spawned two remixes featuring globally renowned artists Travis Scott and Marshmello. These collaborations align with Tyla’s mission to introduce her native Amapiano sound to new audiences worldwide.

Tyla’s success extends beyond the music charts and into the realm of television. Her national TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in October set the stage for a series of high-profile live performances. Notably, her appearances on The Voice and ABC’s legendary Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve broadcast showcased Tyla’s ability to captivate diverse audiences. The culmination of her outstanding year was President Barack Obama’s recognition of “Water” as one of his favorite songs of the year during his annual playlist reveal—a testament to Tyla’s impact on a global scale.

Looking ahead, Tyla is set to release her self-titled debut album in March. The album, currently available for pre-order, features “Water” along with focus tracks “On & On” and “Truth Or Dare.” Both tracks have been gaining momentum, with Tyla’s live debut of “On & On” on the renowned studio performance platform COLORS surpassing one million views. The official visualizer for “Truth Or Dare” is also approaching two million views, foreshadowing the album’s anticipated success.

As Tyla reflects on her upcoming album, excitement is building, stating, “I’m very excited because when I listen back to the album, I’m like, the people are not ready!” With such a remarkable journey behind her and the promise of an exceptional debut album, Tyla’s star is undoubtedly still on the rise, and the world eagerly awaits what this musical prodigy has in store for the future.

Featured Image: Jeremy Soma