South African pop star Tyla has taken the world by storm with her critically acclaimed debut album, but behind the scenes, she was struggling to find her voice. In an exclusive interview, Tyla opens up about her journey to self-discovery, cultural identity, and the challenges of navigating fame.
Tyla’s music career began when she was just 16 years old, after being discovered by FAX Records co-founder Garth von Glehn. She released her debut single “Water” in 2023, which became a massive hit globally, reaching the top 10 in over 40 countries and earning her a Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance.
However, Tyla’s rapid rise to fame came with its challenges. Her parents, who were intentionally strict, had to give her permission to pursue a musical career. The pressure to conform to expectations weighed heavily on her, as she was often pushed to create music that wasn’t authentic to her vision.
“I just remember telling them they could trust me, and they told me all they truly cared about was my safety,” Tyla recalls. “But I think through doing that, I realized how much more I love African music. It made me more persistent in keeping my ideas.”
Tyla’s latest single, “Bliss,” is a departure from her previous hits. The song, which features elements of R&B and Afrobeats, showcases Tyla’s growth as an artist and her ability to explore different styles.
“I wanted to have music out there that felt like who I am right now,” she says. “I wanted something very aggressive and loud and summer-banger worthy.”
Tyla’s second album is expected to be released later this year, and fans are eagerly anticipating what’s next for the global superstar. With her unique blend of African rhythms and pop sensibilities, Tyla is poised to continue breaking boundaries in the music industry.
As she prepares to embark on new projects, including acting and voice acting roles, Tyla remains committed to staying true to herself and her art. “I want to do almost everything,” she says. “I want to look back one day when I’m older and be like, ‘Damn! I really lived my life.'”
Source: https://variety.com/2025/music/features/tyla-new-album-rejecting-pop-music-1236478590