Ahead of the release of Tyla’s hugely-anticipated debut album, we’ve gathered what you need to know to get you even more excited about the album’s drop – officially arriving on March 22nd.
After an unprecedented run as one of Africa’s ultimate popstars and a slew of viral singles, it’s safe to say hype for the release of Tyla (the self-titled LP) has reached a fever pitch.
How will she follow up on “Water” and a Grammy win? Before we find that out, let’s take a look back at the road to the album.
She Dropped Her First Single in 2019
Tyla’s fast-rising journey to the limelight began in October 2019, when the then-17-year-old unveiled her debut single, “Getting Late,” a collaboration with South African DJ/producer Kooldrink which amassed over 1 million combined streams within its first year.
The Rise of TikTok
Visuals for “Getting Late” were delayed due to the 2020 pandemic although filming had begun earlier that year. After finally releasing the much-anticipated video in January 2021, it generated a lot of buzz because of the array of South African TikTok stars that were featured. The success of “Getting Late,” earned Tyla a recording contract with Epic Records – a collaborative effort with Fax Records – in May 2021.
In October of that same year, Tyla revealed the next chapter of her musical journey with “Overdue,” which was listed on the soundtrack for Season 2 of Netflix’s Blood and Water.
Her star was steadily rising. In November 2022, her third single “To Last,” emerged, a testament to Tyla’s evolving artistry, paving the way for her first public performance at the prestigious Dolce & Gabbana afterparty during Milan Fashion Week.
2023, The Year of “Water”
In 2023, Tyla had the biggest breakthrough of her career. It was a year she could have only dreamed of. She released 3 singles: “Been Thinking,” a seductive song exploring her feminity and development as an artist, “Girl Next Door,” a collaboration with Ayra Star a fellow new-gen female popstar, and “Water,” the popular TikTok sensation. All three songs were well-received, but it was “Water” that truly made waves, catapulting Tyla to incredible heights. The infectious melody and captivating choreography ignited a global viral storm on TikTok, pushing her to the top of international charts. With her historic entry into the US Billboard Hot 100, Tyla became the first South African artist in over half a century to achieve such a feat. When it was finally released, the music video for “Water” gained 3 million views on YouTube in 3 days.
Tyla went on to feature on Summer Walker’s Girls’ Mix EP.
To crown the year, Tyla announced her self-titled debut studio album, releasing promotional three singles, (“Truth or Dare”, “On and On”, “Butterflies”) in the form of an EP also titled Tyla.
2024 Grammys
In 2024, Tyla kicked off the year by exceeding everyone’s expectations yet again, clinching her first Grammy at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards and becoming the first artist to win Best African Music Performance and also the youngest African to win a Grammy.
In late February, Tyla was announced as the face of GAP’s new Spring 2024 campaign, appearing in their campaign video.
The Album
Tyla revealed the tracklist for her highly anticipated debut album “Tyla” a few weeks ago. The album features exciting collaborations with the likes of Tems, Becky G, Gunna, Skillibeng, and Kelvin Momo.
Tyla’s odyssey is ready to soar to new heights, leaving a lasting impact on the hearts of all who dare to listen. Stream “Tyla”- the album on all music platforms when it releases on the 22nd of March 2024.
Co-written by Anabel Rose Kubabom and Emmanuel Paapa Quaicoe
