By Jodi-Mari Adams

Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tyla, the international pop princess, stands as an undeniable force to be reckoned with in the music scene. Her rise to stardom began when her single ‘Getting Late’ not only resonated with the local crowd but also attracted the attention of international labels, signifying a pivotal moment in her career.

In 2021 she signed a recording contract with an international label, secured a spot opening for Chris Brown during his European tour and just two years later, in 2023, she achieved international recognition with the release of her single ‘Water.’

The success of ‘Water’ engraved Tyla’s name in history, making her the first South African in over 50 years to have a single on the Billboard Hot 100.

Her musical journey expanded as she collaborated with international artists such as Travis Scott, Marshmello, Summer Walker, and more. Recently, she released a self-titled album, which only solidified her status as a global musical force.

Despite recent challenges and backlash surrounding her ethnicity, Tyla continued to remain authentic to herself, proudly embracing her identity as a girl from Johannesburg with a mission to bring Africa to the world through her music.

In an interview with Expresso, the 21-year-old revealed that her “Plan B” was to study mining engineering “If I was going to do something I wasn’t going to enjoy, I might as well get paid.”

Watch her full interview: