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March 27, 2024 • 9 mins
Tyla Laura Seethal, known mononymously as Tyla, is a rising star in the music industry, captivating audiences with her unique blend of pop, R&B, and African influences. Born on 30 January 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tyla has quickly become a global sensation, breaking records and earning prestigious awards at a young age.
Early Life and Family Background Tyla grew up in a diverse family, with roots spanning across Zulu, Irish, Indian, and Mauritian ancestry. Her parents, Sharleen and Sherwin Seethal, recognized and nurtured her passion for music from an early age. As a member of the Coloured community in South Africa, Tyla's upbringing was shaped by a rich tapestry of cultures and experiences, which would later influence her music and artistic vision.
During her time at Edenglen High School, Tyla's talent and dedication shone through. She served as the head of culture in her final year, showcasing her leadership skills and commitment to the arts. Alongside her academic pursuits, Tyla began sharing her original songs and covers on Instagram, catching the attention of industry professionals and laying the foundation for her future success.
Discovery and Early Career Tyla's journey to stardom began when she was discovered by her first manager, Garth von Glehn, who recognized her raw talent and potential. Von Glehn organized recording sessions for Tyla, which she would attend every weekend during her final year of high school, balancing her passion for music with her academic responsibilities.
After matriculating in 2019, Tyla released her debut single, "Getting Late," featuring production from Kooldrink. The song quickly gained national recognition, showcasing Tyla's unique sound and captivating vocals. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Tyla and her manager persevered, filming the accompanying music video intermittently throughout the lockdowns. Released in January 2021, the video amassed millions of views on YouTube and earned Tyla a nomination for Music Video of the Year at the 28th South African Music Awards in 2022.
Pursuing Her Dreams Initially, Tyla had been studying towards a degree in mining engineering. However, her passion for music was undeniable, and with the support of her parents, she made the difficult decision to take a year off from university to focus on her burgeoning music career. This leap of faith paid off when Tyla signed a recording contract with Epic Records through a joint venture with Fax Records in the United States in May 2021.
Tyla continued to release singles, including "Overdue" in October 2021 and "To Last" in November 2022, further establishing her presence in the music industry and garnering a growing fanbase.
International Breakthrough with "Water" Tyla's international breakthrough came in 2023 with the release of her single "Been Thinking." The song earned Tyla her first chart placements on the Billboard Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Rhythmic Airplay charts, showcasing her ability to create infectious, club-ready anthems that resonated with audiences worldwide. Critics praised the track, with Heven Haile of Pitchfork comparing it to the seductive pop-R&B hits of mid-2000s Ciara and Rihanna.
Tyla's rising star caught the attention of established artists, leading to her joining Chris Brown as the opening act for his Under the Influence Tour. This opportunity provided Tyla with invaluable exposure and allowed her to connect with audiences on a global scale.
In May 2023, Tyla released the single "Girl Next Door," featuring Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, further demonstrating her ability to collaborate with international artists and merge different musical styles seamlessly. However, it was the release of "Water" in July 2023 that truly propelled Tyla to international stardom.
"Water" quickly went viral on the social media platform TikTok, spawning a dance challenge that took the world by storm. The song's success translated to the charts, reaching the top 10 in numerous countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Tyla's achievement was particularly significant in her home country, as she became the youngest-ever South African and the first South African soloist in 55 years to enter the US Billboard Hot 100, following Hugh Masekela's "Grazing in the Grass" in 1968.
Tyla's mesmerizing live performances of "Water" on international television shows, such as The Bianca Show in Sweden and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in the United States, further cemented her status as a global sensation. The accompanying music video, released in October 2023, garnered millions of views within days, a testament to Tyla's growing popularity and the song's universal appeal.
Collaborations and Accolades As Tyla's fame continued to rise, she attracted the attention of established artists eager to collaborate with the young sensation. In October 2023, she
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(00:00):
Tyler Laura Seithal, known mononymously asTyla, is a rising star in the
music industry, captivating audiences with herunique blend of pop, R and B
and African influences. Born on thethirtieth of January two thousand and two in
Johannesburg, South Africa, Tyla hasquickly become a global sensation, breaking records
and earning prestigious awards at a youngage. Early life and family background,

(00:24):
Tyla grew up in a diverse familywith roots spanning across Zulu, Irish,
Indian and Mauritian ancestry. Her parents, Charlene and Sherwin Seethal, recognized and
nurtured her passion for music from anearly age. As a member of the
colored community in South Africa, Tyla'supbringing was shaped by a rich tapestry of
cultures and experiences which would later influenceher music and artistic vision. During her

(00:49):
time at Edenlin High School, Tyla'stalent and dedication shown through. She served
as the head of Culture in herfinal year, showcasing her leadership skills and
commitment to the arts. Along insideher academic pursuits, Tyla began sharing her
original songs and covers on Instagram,catching the attention of industry professionals and laying
the foundation for her future success.Discovery and early career and Tyla's journey to

(01:14):
stardom began when she was discovered byher first manager, Garth von glenn,
who recognized her raw talent and potential. Von Gleane organized recording sessions for Tyla,
which she would attend every weekend duringher final year of high school,
balancing her passion for music with heracademic responsibilities. After matriculating, in twenty
nineteen, Tyler released her debut single, Getting Late, featuring production from Cool

(01:38):
Drink. The song quickly gained nationalrecognition, showcasing Tyla's unique sound and captivating
vocals. Despite the challenges posed bythe COVID nineteen pandemic, Tyla and her
manager persevered filming the accompanying music videointermittently throughout the Lockdowns. Released in January
twenty twenty one, the video amassedmillions of views on YouTube and earned Tyla

(02:00):
a nomination for Music Video of theYear at the twenty eighth South African Music
Awards in twenty twenty two. Pursuingher dreams, initially, Tyla had been
studying towards a degree in mining engineering. However, her passion for music was
undeniable, and with the support ofher parents, she made the difficult decision
to take a year off from universityto focus on her burgeoning music career.

(02:21):
This leap of faith paid off whenTyla signed a recording contract with Epic Records
through a joint venture with Fax Recordsin the United States in May twenty twenty
one. Tyla continued to release singles, including Overdue in October twenty twenty one
and to Last in November twenty twentytwo, further establishing her presence in the
music industry and garnering a growing fanbase. International breakthrough with Waters. Tyla's

(02:45):
international breakthrough came in twenty twenty threewith the release of her single bin Thinking.
The song earned Tyler her first chartplacements on the Billboard mainstream R and
B, slash hip hop Airplay andRhythmic airplay charts, showcasing her ability to
create infectious, club ready anthems thatresonated with audiences worldwide. Critics praised the
track with heaven Hail of Pitchfork,comparing it to the seductive pop bar and

(03:07):
B hits of mid two thousand,Sciarra and Rihanna. Tyla's rising star caught
the attention of established artists, leadingto her joining Chris Brown as the opening
act for his Under the Influence tour. This opportunity provided Tyla with invaluable exposure
and allowed her to connect with audienceson a global scale. In May twenty
twenty three, Tyler released the singleGirl next Door featuring Nigerian singer Era Starr,

(03:31):
further demonstrating her ability to collaborate withinternational artists and merged different musical styles
seamlessly. However, it was therelease of Water in July twenty twenty three
that truly propelled Tyla to international stardom. Water quickly went viral on the social
media platform TikTok, spawning a dancechallenge that took the world by storm.

(03:52):
The song's success translated to the charts, reaching the top ten in numerous countries,
including the United States, United Kingdomand Australia. Tyla's achievement was particularly
significant in her home country, asshe became the youngest ever South African and
the first South African soloist in fiftyfive years to enter the US Billboard Hot
one hundred, following Hugh Masse ofKala's Grazing in the Grass in nineteen sixty

(04:16):
eight. Tyla's mesmerizing live performances ofWater on international television shows such as The
Bianca Show in Sweden and The TonightShow starring Jimmy Fallon in the United States
further cemented her status as a globalsensation. The accompanying music video, released
in October twenty twenty three, garneredmillions of views within days, a testament

(04:41):
to Tyla's growing popularity and the song'suniversal appeal. Collaborations and accolades. As
Tyla's fame continued to rise, sheattracted the attention of established artists eager to
collaborate with the young sensation. InOctober twenty twenty three, she was featured
on a remix version of Summer Walker'sGirls Need Life as part of Walker's Girls
Mix Extended Play. This collaboration showcasedTyla's versatility and ability to adapt to different

(05:06):
musical styles while maintaining her unique artisticidentity. On the eve of December twenty
twenty three, Tyla announced the upcomingrelease of her highly anticipated debut studio album,
Tyla twenty twenty four. To buildexcitement for the projects, she simultaneously
released three new tracks, Truth orDare, On and On and Butterflies as

(05:29):
promotional singles on an extended play ofthe same name. These songs offered a
tantalizing glimpse into the range and depthof Tyla's artistry, further wetting the appetite
of her growing fan base. Tyla'stalent and hard work did not go unnoticed
by the music industry. At thesixty sixth Annual Grammy Awards in February twenty
twenty four, she made history bybecoming the first person to win the inaugural

(05:53):
Grammy Award for Best African Music Performancewith Water. This achievement also made her
the youngest ever African artist to wina Grammy Award, a remarkable feat that
solidified her position as a trailblazer inthe global music scene. Debut album and
critical acclaim. On the twenty secondof March twenty twenty four, Tyla released

(06:13):
her self titled debut album via Faxand Epic Records. The album was met
with critical acclaim, with music criticspraising Tyla's artistic growth, her ability to
blend various genres and the emotional depthof her lyrics. The album showcased Tyla's
unique perspective as a young African womannavigating the complexities of love, identity,
and success in the modern world.Tyla's debut album not only solidified her status

(06:38):
as a rising star, but alsoearned her numerous accolades and nominations. She
received nominations for a brit Award,a Soul Trained Music Award, a Mobile
Award, and two South African MusicAwards, further cementing her position as a
force to be reckoned with in themusic industry. Artistry and influences, Tyla's
music is a reflection of her diverseinfluences, which range from iconic pop stars

(06:59):
like Myel Jackson, Britney Spears,and Rihanna, to R and B legends
like Aliyah and Drake. She alsodraws inspiration from contemporary African artists such as
Thames and whiz Kid, incorporating elementsof their sound into her own unique style.
Tyla's artistry is characterized by her abilityto blend pop, R and B
and African musical tradition seamlessly, creatinga sound that is both fresh and familiar.

(07:25):
Her lyrics often explore themes of love, empowerment, and self discovery,
resonating with listeners across the globe.Beyond her musical talents, Tyla has expressed
her desire to become the first globalpop star from Africa. This ambitious goal
reflects her determination to break barriers andinspire other young African artists to pursue their

(07:45):
dreams on the international stage, impactin future. Tyla's meteoric rise to fame
has not only captivated audiences worldwide,but has also had a significant impact on
the music industry. Her success hashelped to shine a spotlight on the vibrant
and diverse music scene in Africa,encouraging more international collaborations and opening doors for

(08:07):
other African artists to gain global recognition. As Tyler continues to evolve as an
artist and make her mark on themusic world, there is no doubt that
she will continue to break records,win awards, and inspire countless aspiring musicians.
Her unique blend of talent, charisma, and cultural heritage positions her as
a true pioneer in the industry,and her influence is set to extend far

(08:30):
beyond the realm of music. Withher debut album solidifying her status as a
global sensation. Tyla's future is undeniablybright. As she continues to push boundaries,
experiment with new sounds, and shareher unique perspective with the world.
Tyla is poised to become one ofthe most influential and beloved artists of her
generation. Conclusion, Tyler Laura Setal'sextraordinary journey from a talented teenager in Johannesburg

(08:54):
to a Grammy Award winning international sensationis a testament to her unwavering dedication,
immense talent, and the power ofpursuing one's dreams. Her ability to connect
with audiences across the globe through hermusic, which seamlessly blends pop, R
and B and African influences, hasmade her a true icon in the making.

(09:18):
As Tyla continues to break records,win awards, and captivate audiences with
her unique sound and style, sheserves as an inspiration to young artists everywhere,
particularly those from Africa, who aspireto make their mark on the global
stage. With her boundless potential andundeniable star power, Tyla is undoubtedly poised
to become one of the most influentialand beloved artists of her generation. Leaving

(09:41):
an indelible mark on the music industryin the world at large. Thanks for
listening to Quiet. Please remember tolike and share wherever you get your podcasts.
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