Biography
Tyla is a rising global star known for her distinctive fusion of pop and amapiano, a South African dance music genre rooted in jazz and house music. Often hailed as the “Queen of Popiano,” she has been instrumental in bringing African music and dance to international audiences. In 2023, she skyrocketed to fame when her single “Water” became a viral sensation. The track not only introduced the world to her signature sound but also sparked the “Water Challenge” on TikTok. A live performance of the song, showcasing the bacardi dance style, further cemented her status as a global phenomenon.
With a growing international fan base, Tyla remains focused on the future. She is currently working on her debut studio album, driven by the same passion and vision that have defined her journey. “I just can’t wait for people to know that I’m the girl from South Africa that has songs playing on their radios,” she says, ready to take the world by storm.
Profile
- Name: Tyla
- Birth name: Tyla Laura Seethal
- Birthday: January 30, 2002
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Height: 160 cm
- Instagram: @tyla
- Twitter: @Tyllaaaaaaa
Career
Tyla first introduced herself to the world with “Getting Late,” a bouncy, infectious track featuring producer Kooldrink. The song’s chorus “I won’t waste your time” took on a prophetic meaning as the once-overlooked artist, whose cold DMs to industry power players had gone unanswered, became an international force. She never expected the song to transcend South Africa, but as TikTok users worldwide created videos to the track, it racked up over 5 million streams and 5.4 million YouTube views.
After finishing high school in 2019, Tyla initially pursued a degree in mining engineering. However, Tyla convinced her parents to allow her a gap year to focus on music. This decision paid off when she signed with Epic Records through a joint venture with Fax Records in May 2021. She followed up her debut with Overdue (2021) and To Last (2022), steadily building her presence in the industry.
Tyla’s big break came in 2023 with Water, a genre-blending amapiano-pop hit that sparked a viral TikTok dance challenge, amassing billions of views. The song charted internationally, making her the youngest South African soloist in 55 years to enter the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Her momentum continued with live performances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Voice, and in February 2024, she won the first-ever Grammy for Best African Music Performance.
With her self-titled debut album in March 2024, Tyla solidified her status as a global star. The project received critical acclaim and charted in multiple countries, leading to major wins at the Metro FM Music Awards and BET Awards. She later released a deluxe edition featuring “Push 2 Start,” a reggae-infused amapiano track, and performed at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and the MTV Europe Music Awards, where she won three categories, including Best African Act.
Tyla remains focused on her ultimate goal: to redefine pop music on her terms. “I once thought pop was just catchy radio music, but now I see it as something universal, something that everyone can connect with,” she says. “I’d love to be that pop star, especially as a role model for other African artists. We have amazing talent, but we need more people born in Africa to take that spot.” With her boundless ambition, infectious sound, and unwavering authenticity, Tyla is well on her way to becoming that global icon.
Personal Life
Cultural Roots
Tyla Laura Seethal grew up in Johannesburg in a culturally rich household. Her diverse heritage, blending Indian, Indo-Mauritian, Zulu, and Irish roots, shaped her artistic identity. From an early age, music played a central role in her life: her parents filled their home with the sounds of Aaliyah, Boyz II Men, Michael Jackson, and Rihanna. Encouraged by her family, she began singing, dancing, and even writing her own songs as a child. By the age of 12, she was composing lyrics in her diary, and as a teenager, she started sharing covers and original music on Instagram.
During her final year at Edenglen High School, where she was Head of Culture, Tyla spent every weekend in the recording studio while actively messaging industry professionals in pursuit of opportunities. Although her initial outreach largely went unanswered, her persistence paid off when she caught the attention of her first manager, Garth von Glehn, who arranged her first professional recording sessions. At the time, she was on the verge of studying mining engineering, a path encouraged by her family due to the uncertainties of a music career. However, she made the bold decision to pursue her passion, eventually earning her parents’ full support.
Fashion Influence
Beyond her music, Tyla has captivated audiences with her bold and effortlessly stylish fashion sense. Embracing a Y2K aesthetic inspired by early 2000s icons like Britney Spears and Rihanna, she prefers looks that are edgy, slightly undone, and unexpected.
Even before her rise to fame, Tyla was hands-on with her style, often repurposing and customizing outfits with her best friend, Thato Nzimande, who now serves as her creative director. Today, while she stuns in high-fashion looks from Balmain and Versace at events like the Met Gala and the Grammys, she also hopes to use her platform to spotlight African designers.
Tyla’s distinct style, defined by daring cutouts, animal prints, and thigh-high slits, has made her a muse for the fashion world. She seamlessly blends vintage and contemporary pieces, from sporting archival Tom Ford-era Gucci at the CFDA Awards to paying tribute to Aaliyah in a blue tiger-striped Roberto Cavalli dress at the MTV EMAs. With covers on Vogue, Elle, GQ, Forbes, and more, Tyla has solidified her status as a rising fashion icon, proving that her influence extends far beyond music.
Relationships
Tyla prefers to keep her personal life under wraps, but she hasn’t shied away from teasing fans about the attention she gets. In an interview with People, she playfully revealed, “My DMs are always active, honey! I’m telling you, there’s always someone in there that I wouldn’t expect, so yeah, it’s booming!”
Her admirers extend beyond social media, popular streamer Kai Cenat has made his feelings for her well-known, even shooting his shot during a live stream. Tyla, however, responded with a lighthearted rejection, simply saying, “But we’re friends, though!”
Despite her silence on the matter, dating rumors continue to circulate. Fans have recently speculated about a possible romance between Tyla and Geo, who has appeared in three of her music videos. Eagle-eyed followers have noticed striking similarities in their Instagram posts, with some even suggesting they’ve taken photos in the same apartment.
While Tyla keeps her inner circle tight, whether there’s more to these rumors remains uncertain. For now, she’s staying focused on her career while keeping fans guessing about her love life.
Net Worth
Tyla’s rising success is fueled by her Grammy-winning hit Water, her debut album Tyla, and major brand sponsorships, with estimates placing her net worth at over $1 million. She has earned a spot on Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list, backed by co-signs from music icons like Chris Brown and Travis Scott. With around 600 million Spotify streams and a Billboard 200 debut at No. 24, she also holds a record-breaking presence on Billboard’s Afrobeats chart. Supported by a powerhouse team, her influence extends beyond music, with merchandise sales, including a sold-out custom Stanley cup, contributing to her growing empire.
Fun Facts
Personal Traits and Interests
- Tyla had another creative outlet: painting and drawing.
- “The Call” is Tyla’s favourite film.
- “Yo!” is Tyla’s favourite word. It’s a casual, friendly way to greet someone or express excitement.
- Tyla is a digital queen who knows exactly how to work her socials.
- Tyla made known that night is her favourite time.
- Tyla’s favorite animal is tiger.
Work-related Facts
- Tyla isn’t afraid to push boundaries, embracing collaborations with artists from diverse backgrounds across the globe.
- Over the years, Tyla has been involved in various charitable efforts, supporting causes that uplift underprivileged communities in South Africa.
- Tyla is a digital queen who knows exactly how to work her socials.
- Tyla’s first tour was with Christ Brown in Europe.
- For Tyla, winning her first Grammy was even more meaningful as it marked her very first award.
