Tyla Laura Seethal, known as Tyla, is a South African singer and songwriter who was born on 30 January 2002. She was born and raised in Johannesburg. She signed with Epic Records in 2021 following the domestic success of her 2019 debut single, “Getting Late” (featuring Kooldrink).
GRAMMY AWARDS 2024
Tyla rose to international fame following the release of her hit single ‘Water’ in July 2023. The hit song entered the top ten in sixteen countries including the United Kingdom and United States. “Water” was awarded the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance in 2024. The single preceded her self-titled debut album (2024), which was released to critical acclaim and moderate commercial success, entering the top 25 in six countries including the United States.
BET AWARDS 2024
South African singer Tyla was one of the big winners at this year’s BET Awards, dubbed “culture’s biggest night”, as she was named Best New Artist and Best International Act. The BET Awards is an American award show founded in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate and honor black and underrepresented people in the entertainment industry. This year’s ceremony was held at the Peacock Theatre in California.
“This is such a gift to be here. I want to dedicate this one to Africa,” she said during her acceptance speech for Best New Artist, wearing a slinky black dress. “I want to dedicate this one to all the African superstars before me. Africa to the world!”
The 22-year-old went on to give an electrifying performance of her hit song Jump featuring US rapper Gunna and Jamaican dancehall DJ Skillibeng. Dancers wearing tiger print bodysuits opened her act, which also included a gigantic elephant statue and performers on stilts. She performed at the event alongside fellow nominees Ice Spice, Victoria Monét and Bad Boys star Will Smith.
MORE ACHIEVEMENTS
Tyla also won the Most Stylish Performing Artist award at South African Style Awards 2024 and the Global Icon Award at Metro FM Music Awards 2024. The same track “Herself” won the Best International Act award at the Cultural and Creative Industry Awards and the Best Female Artist award at African Entertainment Awards USA 2023.