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Tyla Laura: The South African singer who beat big names at Grammy Awards

She rose to fame with the release of her 2023 single 'Water' which topped in 16 countries.

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by CYNDY ALUOCH

Sasa05 February 2024 - 11:13
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In Summary


  • The hit song was the first by the South African diva to enter the US Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years and was awarded the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance in 2024. 
  • She was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa.
South African musician and Grammy Award winner Tyla.

Musician and 'Water' hitmaker Tyla won the inaugural Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Award.

The awards took place on Sunday during the Grammy Awards pre-show in Los Angeles.

Tyla beat big names including Nigerian superstars like Davido, Burna Boy, Asake, Olamide and Ayra Starr with her 2023 hit 'Water'.

The 22-year-old has now become the youngest African to win a Grammy.

"I never thought I'd say I won a Grammy at 22. Thank you to the Recording Academy for this category. It's so important," Tyla said during her acceptance speech.

Who is the 'Water' hitmaker Tyla?

Tyla, her real name Tyla Laura Seethal was born on January 30 2002.

She was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Tyla is a singer, songwriter and currently a Grammy Award winner.

She began posting original songs and covers to her Instagram account and sending them out to several figures in the music industry while still in school.

The 22-year-old was studying towards a degree in mining engineering before she decided to commit to her music career full-time.

She rose to fame with the release of her 2023 single 'Water' which topped in 16 countries.

After a viral dance challenge on TikTok, the song became a top 10 hit in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, among several other countries.

The hit song was the first by the South African diva to enter the US Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years and was awarded the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance in 2024.

Her self-titled debut album is scheduled for release on March 22 2024.

She had also been nominated for a BRIT, a Soul Train Music, a MOBO, and two South African Music Awards.

She signed with Epic Records in 2021 after the domestic success of her 2019 debut single 'Getting Late' featuring Kooldrink.

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