Tyla Laura Seethal, commonly known as Tyla, is a South African singer born in Johannesburg. Her musical journey gained recognition when she signed with Epic Records in 2021, driven by the success of her debut single "Getting Late," featuring Kooldrink.
The breakthrough in her career came with the 2023 release of "Water," a single that propelled her to international fame. The song achieved top-ten status in numerous countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Notably, "Water" marked a historic moment as the first song by a South African soloist to enter the US Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years.
Prior to her global recognition, Tyla had already made a significant impact on the South African music scene with her debut track, "Getting Late," featuring Kooldrink. Building on this success, Tyla is set to release her self-titled debut album on March 1, 2024.
Tyla's remarkable achievements have earned her nominations for prestigious awards, including a Grammy Award, a Soul Train Music Award, a MOBO Award, and two South African Music Awards. Her musical journey continues to captivate audiences both domestically and internationally, solidifying her status as a rising star in the music industry.
Early Life
The talented Tyla came into the world on January 30, 2002, in the dynamic city of Johannesburg, South Africa. Her roots trace back to a diverse family heritage, blending Zulu, Indian, Mauritian, and Irish backgrounds.
In 2019, she graduated from Edenglen High School, where she served as the head of culture. During her school days, Tyla began showcasing her musical prowess by sharing original songs and covers on her Instagram account. Her musical journey took a significant turn when she caught the attention of her first manager, Garth von Glehn, who facilitated her initial recording sessions. This discovery marked the beginning of her venture into the music industry.
While pursuing a degree in mining engineering, Tyla decided to wholeheartedly commit to her music career.
Tyla's upbringing was enriched by the presence of three siblings, namely Whitney Seethal, Tyrese Seethal, and Sydney Seethal, creating a foundation of familial support and love.
Career
In late 2019, shortly after completing high school, Tyla unveiled her debut single, "Getting Late," featuring production from Kooldrink, which garnered national success. The accompanying music video, filmed by her manager during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, was released in January 2021 and earned millions of views on YouTube. Notably, it received a nomination for Music Video of the Year at the 28th South African Music Awards in 2022. Tyla's journey continued as she signed a recording contract with Epic Records in the United States through a joint venture with Fax Records in May 2021.
Following this, Tyla released singles like "Overdue" in October 2021 and "To Last" in November 2022. Her first public performance occurred in 2023 at the Dolce & Gabbana afterparty during Milan Fashion Week, coinciding with the release of her single "Been Thinking," which marked her debut on the Billboard Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Rhythmic Airplay charts.
Tyla's breakthrough moment came with the release of "Water" in July 2023, the lead single from her upcoming self-titled debut studio album scheduled for release on March 1, 2024. The song became a global sensation, achieving top 10 status in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, and securing her a place in history as the youngest-ever South African and the first South African soloist in 55 years to enter the US Billboard Hot 100.
In addition to her musical accomplishments, Tyla made appearances on The Bianca Show in Sweden and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in the United States. She was featured on a remix of Summer Walker's "Girls Need Love" and performed a medley of "Water" and "Truth or Dare" on the season 24 finale of The Voice in December 2023. Her outstanding achievements earned her a nomination for Best African Music Performance with "Water" at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2024.
Tyla cites a diverse range of musical influences, including Michael Jackson, Aaliyah, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Drake, Cassie, and Wizkid. Her dream is to become the first global pop star from Africa.
Awards
African Entertainment Awards USA, 2023:
Best Female Artist
South African Style Awards, 2024:
Most Stylish Performing Artist
Discography
Studio Albums
Tyla (2024)
Singles
2019: Getting Late
2021: Overdue
2022: To Last
2022: Amawele
2023: Girl Next Door
2023: Been Thinking
2023: Water