WHAT THE HECK! Tyla has won her first ever award, AND IT’S A G-R-A-M-M-Y!
Please use the term, “Grammy-award winner” when you mention Tyla because baby girl has won the award for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, hosted at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
The Best African Music Performance is a new category for the Grammys, added for the 2024 ceremony – and it’s first recipient is none other than the South African singer and songwriter. Now that’s a flex! 💅
Tyla Laura Seethal (popularly known as Tyla) literally shot to fame over night over her mega-hit song, Water which generated a TikTok challenge and charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
We all know that in order for a song to be recognised as a hit is when it’s popular on TikTok, riiight? I mean, is it even a hit song if it doesn’t inspire a dance challenge on TikTok? 🙄 But what Tyla didn’t anticipate is that her viral song would go THIS VIRAL! 🤯
Peaking at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, this was the first time in 55 years that a solo song by a South African musician made it onto the chart. The last time this happened was with Hugh Masekela's Grazing in the Grass in 1968.
Looking like a vision in a custom Versace cut-out mesh dress; Tyla accepted the award by saying, “Oh my gosh, guys. This is crazy. Like I never thought I’d say, ‘I won a Grammy at 22 years old.” She becomes the youngest South African to make it onto the prestigious list that includes Zakes Bantwini, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Soweto Gospel Choir, Black Coffee, Nomcebo Zikode, Wouter Kellerman and Miriam Makeba.
She continued: "If you don't know me, my name is Tyla. I'm from South Africa…"
With the way Tyla is booked and busy, performing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, appearing on The Jennifer Hudson Show and ringing in 2024 as the headline performer at New York’s famous Times Square ball drop…who doesn’t know Tyla? But anyway, whoever doesn’t know her surely does now and will get to know her even better when she performs at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April. Water is also nominated for Best International Song at the 44th annual Brit Awards taking place in London next month.
Wherever you are reading this, please take a moment and ask Siri to play “Water by Tyla” in honour of our amazing superstar! Congrats, girl. Usebenzile 🇿🇦
