In a candid interview with Elle Magazine USA, Tyla recounts her childhood dreams of witnessing an African pop star shine on the global stage, a vision that ultimately propelled her own rise to fame. Reflecting on her journey, the 22-year-old singer shares, “Not seeing that while growing up made me want to be that person.”
Tyla’s breakthrough came with her debut album’s lead single, “Water,” which marked her international crossover and clinched a Grammy for Best African Music Performance, a historic win in a newly established category. Describing the moment of realisation, she recalls, “Seeing it reflect in streams and seeing the song chart in real time made me realise that I have something here.”
Her album, blending amapiano with pop and R&B, showcases her evolution over two years of meticulous crafting. Despite setbacks like a canceled North American tour due to injury, Tyla remains rooted in South Africa, finding solace in family and friends away from the paparazzi’s glare. “It’s good to touch the soil again and bring me back to my roots,” she shares.
When asked about her favourite track, “Art,” Tyla emphasises its poetic lyrics and universal message, revealing, “My mother cries to that song, so that’s a bonus.”
Looking ahead, Tyla envisions a dynamic rollout for her album, prioritising visual storytelling and innovative interactions with her audience. She asserts, “I don’t want to do things that everyone’s doing. I want to play around a bit and do new stuff.”
Reflecting on her journey, Tyla expresses pride in her perseverance and drive, fuelled by a childhood desire to witness African representation on global stages. “I want to see an African on the biggest stages. I want to see them winning awards next to the A-listers,” she declares.
As a woman in music, Tyla exudes confidence, viewing her presence in the industry as a powerful assertion of female empowerment. “We really are taking up space,” she asserts.
With a career trajectory that knows no bounds, Tyla sees endless possibilities ahead, envisioning ventures into acting or fashion while foreseeing her music’s continual expansion. “I don’t see it stopping. I just see it getting bigger and bigger and bigger,” she concludes, embodying the spirit of a true trailblazer in Africa’s vibrant music scene.
Picture: @elleusa
