COVER
Tyla
Is Her Own Muse
By Sophie Cino
Publishing date: Apr 05, 2024
I
In an overstimulated industry where standing out is becoming increasingly difficult, South African pop star, Tyla, has emerged as a shining star. Her viral single “Water” took over ForYou pages across the globe this past summer to rave reviews. It was so well received in fact, that the track was nominated for, and won, a Grammy Award before her debut album even dropped. “It’s really an award that I’ve always wanted to win and did not expect to win this soon,” Tyla says of her Best African Music Performance win. In a genre-defining victory, Tyla’s triumph heralds a new era for African music on the global stage and she’s not stopping any time soon.
The young rising star made history once again after announcing her self-titled debut album. The tracks showcase her eclectic style and undeniable talent. At just 21 years old, Tyla became the first African female soloist to break into the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. Her journey from writing songs in her diary as a teenager to becoming a global sensation is a testament of her passion and dedication to her craft. As Tyla gears up for more in 2024, her debut album promises to captivate audiences worldwide with its vibrant personality, innovative sound, and infectious energy.
For our April cover story, I sat down with Tyla to chat about her remarkable journey thus far. Offering a glimpse into her creative process, she talks about the influences that have shaped her sound, the inspirations that fuel her creativity, and what’s next for her.
In an overstimulated industry where standing out is becoming increasingly difficult, South African pop star, Tyla, has emerged as a shining star. Her viral single “Water” took over ForYou pages across the globe this past summer to rave reviews. It was so well received in fact, that the track was nominated for, and won, a Grammy Award before her debut album even dropped. “It’s really an award that I’ve always wanted to win and did not expect to win this soon,” Tyla says of her Best African Music Performance win. In a genre-defining victory, Tyla’s triumph heralds a new era for African music on the global stage and she’s not stopping any time soon.
The young rising star made history once again after announcing her self-titled debut album. The tracks showcase her eclectic style and undeniable talent. At just 21 years old, Tyla became the first African female soloist to break into the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. Her journey from writing songs in her diary as a teenager to becoming a global sensation is a testament of her passion and dedication to her craft. As Tyla gears up for more in 2024, her debut album promises to captivate audiences worldwide with its vibrant personality, innovative sound, and infectious energy.
For our April cover story, I sat down with Tyla to chat about her remarkable journey thus far. Offering a glimpse into her creative process, she talks about the influences that have shaped her sound, the inspirations that fuel her creativity, and what’s next for her.
I just wanna show people that I could do it again, and the music is gonna be amazing.
I just wanna show people that I could do it again, and the music is gonna be amazing.
For Tyla, her Grammy win is not just a milestone; it’s a catalyst for greater ambitions. “It just makes me wanna go harder,” she says of the victory. Winning the award was made all the more special because of the category in particular, explaining how “it’s such a huge step for music,” [and for] African music, especially.” It’s just amazing knowing that my name is going to be there forever and ever.” While winning such a sought after award so early in one’s career would be intimidating to most artists, Tyla is more focused than ever as she expresses “I just wanna show people that I could do it again, and the music is gonna be amazing.” She loves what she does, and even though it can be tiring, it feels like the most fun, “It’s a really humbling and happy feeling to have. I’m really grateful.” With her win serving as both inspiration and a representation for future success, Tyla eagerly anticipates the journey ahead.
Beyond the music, Tyla’s music video for her track “ART” has also captured people’s attention. Describing the inspiration behind the visuals, Tyla shares, “I love this video so much — it’s basically me posing, being painted as a muse and as an art piece.” She delves deeper into the underlying theme, revealing, “At the end, like you see, I’m actually painting myself. So I’m my own inspiration. I’m my art piece. I am my muse.” The video takes a surprising turn as Tyla explains that by the end you realize “there were guys all around the paintings,” and that she was actually painting them. This revelation underscores a deeper commentary on societal norms and perceptions. Emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between herself and her art, she shares “Even though I’m my person’s art piece, my person is also my art.” This powerful narrative of self-expression and empowerment resonates strongly, making “ART” not just a music video, but a profound statement on individuality and creativity.
With her debut album, Tyla, making waves and featuring collaborations with industry giants like Travis Scott and TEMS, Tyla’s trajectory knows no bounds. When asked why she added these collaborations? “Some of the songs I felt needed more,” she says candidly. “I just felt like collaborating with the artists that I did, broadened the audience and took [the songs] further into that space which I really loved about it. On her song “No.1” with TEMS specifically, she shares that “just collaborating with another African female was really important to me.” Every collaboration on the record was carefully considered to make her debut body of work even better. “Every feature has a reason,” she concludes.
Tyla’s journey to success has been anything but conventional. From defying familial expectations to navigating the complexities of social media scrutiny, she’s faced a lot in a short amount of time; “It’s really just passion,” she reflects, underscoring the driving force behind her unwavering commitment to her craft. Originally, Tyla was set to get a post-secondary degree studying mining engineering, but she knew if she took that route she’d regret not pursuing her musical dreams. “I didn’t end up going and if I did I would say I would have regretted not trying and doing this.” The roadblock? Her parents, at least at the beginning. “I had to beg very long,” she says, “but I had to just stand my ground.” To say the risk paid off would be the true definition of an understatement.
Tyla’s unique sound encapsulates various genres, drawing inspiration from elements of afrobeats, pop, and R&B. Rather than directly emulating specific artists, her approach to music creation is more about blending different musical styles to craft something entirely fresh and original. Regarding her initial inspiration to pursue a career in music, Tyla credits her family’s deep-rooted love for music as the foundation. However, it was witnessing the glamorous world of music celebrities on TV that ignited her desire to become an artist herself. Most importantly she shares, “I didn’t see an African girl when I was growing up in those same environments,” and so “I wanted to be that girl and especially for home.”
As the interview unfolds, we find not just the story of a new Grammy winner, but the rise of a trailblazer, a visionary, and an inspiration to artists worldwide. With her sights set on the future, Tyla states,“I’m really just looking forward to the future and how much further we take it.”
Photographer: Dennis Leupold
