Summary (tl;dr)

South African singer Tyla is currently trending due to her continued global music success in 2025, marked by recent award wins and her latest single "Chanel" charting on the Billboard Hot 100.

Essential Background

Tyla, born Tyla Laura Seethal in Johannesburg, South Africa, first gained significant international attention in 2023 with her single "Water". The song became a viral sensation, particularly on TikTok with its accompanying dance challenge, and made history as the first song by a South African soloist in 55 years to enter the US Billboard Hot 100. This breakthrough led to her signing with Epic Records and established her as a prominent figure in the Amapiano-pop-R&B music scene. In February 2024, Tyla further cemented her global status by winning the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance for "Water," becoming the youngest African artist to achieve this honor.

The Full Story

Throughout 2024 and into 2025, Tyla has maintained her upward trajectory in the entertainment industry. Her self-titled debut album was released in March 2024, showcasing her unique blend of Afrobeats, Amapiano, and pop genres. In 2025, Tyla continued to release new music, including the EP "We Wanna Party" and the single "Chanel," which dropped on October 24, 2025. "Chanel" has since debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her third single to appear on the chart and reaching a new peak of #17 on the Spotify Global chart by late December 2025.

Her ongoing success is also highlighted by a string of prestigious awards won in 2025, including the iHeartRadio Music Award for World Artist of the Year, making her the first South African artist to win in this category. She also hosted the 2025 Kids' Choice Awards and received the Impact Award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards. These achievements, coupled with her growing streaming numbers and consistent musical output, are driving the current trending interest in Tyla.

Why It Matters

Tyla's consistent global success is significant as she continues to break barriers for African artists on the international stage. Her Grammy win and chart-topping hits have brought increased visibility to Amapiano and other African music genres, fostering a greater appreciation for the continent's diverse musical traditions. Her ability to consistently produce viral content, secure major awards, and achieve commercial success with new releases demonstrates her enduring appeal and reinforces her position as a leading global superstar. Her achievements serve as inspiration for emerging artists and are reshaping the global pop music landscape, making her a crucial figure in contemporary entertainment.

Geographic Location

• Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa (Tyla's birthplace and origin of her musical career)
• Los Angeles, California, United States (Location of the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in 2024, iHeartRadio Music Awards in 2025, and BET Awards in 2024)
• Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa (Concert performance in late 2024)
• Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa (Concert performances in late 2024 and early 2025)
• Berlin, Germany (Fan listening event for new music in July 2025)
• New York City, New York, United States (Global Citizen Festival performance teasing new music in September 2025)
• Tokyo, Japan (Performance on her "We Wanna Party" tour in November 2025)
• Virtual/Online (Platforms like TikTok for viral dance challenges and global streaming success of "Water" and "Chanel")