Tyla has been named Spotify's EQUAL Africa Artist for March.
Tyla, a South African singer, has reinvented herself as an artist capable of navigating the limits of numerous music genres with her expansive, original lyrics about the appeal of new romance, love, and self-confidence. Tyla has been named as the EQUAL Africa ambassador for the month of March by music streaming platform Spotify.
Her music is full of positive vibes, drenched in Pop, R&B, and Afrobeats, and based on South Africa's Amapiano. Tyla has become a force in the music field since breaking out in 2019. She is driven by the desire to leave her mark in music.
Tyla's musical adventure began when she was 12 years old, when she began composing song lyrics in her diary. Music is "her calling," she says, and it "came effortlessly" to her. She rose to prominence after releasing the Amapiano dance-themed tune 'Getting late'. Tyla is aware of the demands of new-age arts, but intuition and intention inspire her work as she prepares to release her debut album.
She joins fellow South Africans Sio and Elaine as past hosts of the show. EQUAL Africa strives to highlight and promote the voices of African female musicians who are breaking down boundaries and creating waves in the music industry. Furthermore, it broadens their audience by presenting their collection to a global audience.
“It is satisfying to be selected for the EQUAL programme, joining other incredible female creators on the continent. This just goes to show that there is room for all of us to shine, regardless of what sounds and genres we identify with,” says Tyla.
"We are inspired by Tyla’s versatility and her drive to achieve more in the music scene and we welcome her to the EQUAL programme. It is our hope that other young African women creators see this as proof that their talent is valid and can and will be recognised and supported,” says Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu.
Check out Tyla’s single 'Been Thinking' on the EQUAL Africa playlist, and get to know more about her with our artist Q&A below:
1. What is that one surprising thing your fans might not know about you?
A lot of people are surprised when I tell them I have four siblings.
2. When did you realise that making music was in your destiny and what is your WHY for pursuing this craft?
I feel my love for music came naturally. Ever since I could remember it was a part of my life and interests. I knew at a very young age that this was my calling.
3. Which African songs or artists did you grow up listening to?
Brenda Fassie, Freshly ground, Mi Csa. I remember loving the song Destiny by Malaika
4. To someone who has never heard your music, how would you describe the sound, tone, and style?
I would describe it as a fusion between R&B, Pop, Amapiano, Afrobeats.
5. Any advice for someone dreading following their dreams?
Keep going no matter how impossible it seems. I never thought I’d be at this point and right now I’m travelling the world making music, performing and living my dream. I still have a long way to go but I’m not stopping. And you shouldn’t either.
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