South African singer Tyla has emerged as one of 2025’s most exciting new stars, transforming from a viral sensation into a bona fide global pop/R&B force. Best known for blending the infectious grooves of amapiano with mainstream pop and R&B – a hybrid some have dubbed “popiano” – Tyla spent 2025 solidifying her artistry and worldwide appeal. In the process, she’s racked up record-breaking streams, chart accolades, viral dance crazes and high-profile performances that cement her status as a Gen Z icon. This article takes a fresh look at Tyla’s evolution in 2025 – her musical artistry, performance style, visual direction, major releases and global resonance – painting a portrait of a young artist bridging cultures and genres with euphoria and style.
Blending Amapiano, R&B and Pop: Tyla’s Unique Sound
Tyla’s music is defined by its genre-blurring vibrancy. Hailing from the clubs of South Africa, amapiano’s deep house basslines and jazzy piano riffs underpin many of her tracks, but she layers them with R&B sultriness and glossy pop hooks. The result is a sound that’s instantly danceable yet melodically rich, appealing across continents. Critics have praised how Tyla infuses her heritage into modern pop – for example, her 2025 project WWP (We Wanna Party) draws its title from a popular South African party chant, rooting its fun-loving spirit in local culture. At the same time, Tyla’s songs showcase contemporary global influences: lush R&B vocal runs, Afrobeats percussion, and even touches of Latin guitar on collaborative tracks.
Such versatility reflects Tyla’s evolution as an artist. She initially gained attention performing cover songs online before embracing amapiano’s wave in her home country. By 2025, she had confidently forged a signature “popiano” style, described as “catchy, colourful, [and] rhythmically infectious” by reviewers. Tyla herself leads the creative process – co-writing her material – and uses her vocal versatility to glide between airy pop melodies and rhythmic African chants. The result is music that feels both authentically African and globally accessible, a balance that has set Tyla apart in the crowded pop landscape.
Major 2025 Releases: WWP EP and Global Hits
2025 was a landmark year for Tyla’s discography. In July, she dropped WWP (We Wanna Party), a four-track EP (billed as a mixtape) that served as a bridge to her forthcoming debut LP. Clocking in at just 11 minutes, WWP packs a punchy showcase of Tyla’s range – from club anthems to sultry R&B. The project blends amapiano’s bounce with glossy pop production, delivering what one critic called a “gleeful and hedonistic” collection that prioritizes pure fun. Despite its brevity (some noted the short runtime left fans craving more), the EP earned generally positive reviews for its confident, dance-floor-ready energy.
Tracklist & Highlights
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“Bliss” – A high-tempo, feel-good dance track Tyla teased during her Coachella set in April 2025. With airy vocals and amapiano bass, “Bliss” quickly became a fan favorite. It was officially released as a single in May and made waves internationally – debuting at #4 on the UK Afrobeats chart and even breaking into U.S. radio, peaking at #28 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart. Its vibrant Director X-directed music video premiered in June, amplifying the song’s summer appeal.
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“Is It” – A shimmering R&B/Amapiano fusion known for its irresistibly short runtime (2 minutes 44 seconds). Fans jokingly complained “Is It” was “too short,” to which the ever-cheeky Tyla responded that they could “play it again” if they wanted more. Released in July 2025, “Is It” became her biggest Spotify debut (over 1.27 million first-day streams) and shot to #1 on the UK Afrobeats Singles chart. It even cracked the UK’s main Singles Chart at #99 and reached #7 in South Africa – solidifying Tyla’s cross-continental appeal despite the song’s bite-sized length.
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“Dynamite” (feat. Wizkid) – A sultry mid-tempo collaboration with Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Wizkid that bridges South African and West African sounds. Tyla and Wizkid trade lines over a beat blending Spanish guitar flourishes with Afrobeats percussion, creating a slow-burn groove. Upon its release in July, “Dynamite” achieved the highest U.S. chart debut of the year on Billboard’s Afrobeats Songs chart, entering at No. 8 – the strongest debut of any song on that chart in 2025. The high-profile collab symbolized the pan-African appeal of her music, uniting fanbases from Nigeria to South Africa. Notably, Tyla first previewed “Dynamite” at a London listening party, revealing it evolved from a 2022 demo – a hint that she’s been crafting global hits in the vault for some time.
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“Mr. Media” – The EP’s boldest statement, “Mr. Media” is Tyla’s clapback to critics and naysayers. Over a darker, R&B-leaning beat, she pointedly sings, “Remember when I used to fight with words? Really, I should be worse – I should be meaner,” signaling that she won’t stay quiet in the face of media scrutiny. The song’s lyrics and attitude address the very real online chatter about her, showing a fiercer side to Tyla’s songwriting. Though WWP is a breezy listen, this track adds depth by letting Tyla assert her confidence and set the record straight on her own terms.
Tyla made her mark on stage at Coachella 2025 – literally – by spray-painting her name across a giant tiger prop during her set. This bold moment highlighted her playful performance style and nod to her fanbase known as the “Tygers.”
Despite WWP’s strong content, its first-week sales in the U.S. were modest – just 3,700 units – which sparked some premature chatter on social media about whether Tyla had “flopped.” In truth, this narrative misses the bigger picture entirely. Traditional sales metrics mean little in the streaming era, and Tyla’s streaming numbers told a very different story. By mid-August, WWP had already amassed over 60 million streams on Spotify alone, equivalent to roughly 40,000 album units from that one platform. Her single “Dynamite” was breaking records on the Afrobeats chart at the same time. Judging Tyla by old-school sales standards is misguided – her true impact lies in millions of streams, international chart entries, and cultural relevance. In other words, Tyla is a streaming-era success, and WWP succeeded in keeping the world dancing through 2025.
To promote the EP, Tyla leaned into experiential and social media tactics suited to her generation. She hosted exclusive listening parties in London and Berlin ahead of release – underlining her focus on key markets in Europe – and constantly engaged her followers with behind-the-scenes snippets and TikTok teasers. The EP’s title itself, We Wanna Party, encapsulates Tyla’s 2025 ethos: “I’ve been on this tip of just enjoying life… the music screams ‘We wanna party!’” That celebratory spirit resonated widely, proving that Tyla’s music travels well from Pretoria to Paris to Pittsburgh.
Streaming Supremacy and Chart Breakthroughs
In 2025, Tyla’s meteoric rise was quantified not by CD sales or downloads, but by staggering streaming statistics and unprecedented chart feats. She has firmly planted the South African flag on global charts, shattering records for African artists in the process.
Her breakout single “Water” (released late 2022) continued to be the gift that kept on giving. By 2025, “Water” had amassed over a billion streams globally – a jaw-dropping figure that only a handful of African-origin songs have ever reached. The hypnotic R&B-meets-amapiano track not only lit up streaming platforms but also climbed to No. 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2023, making Tyla the highest-charting African female solo act of all time on that chart. It had been 55 years since a South African artist hit the U.S. top 10, and Tyla achieved it at just 21 years old. “Water”’s success extended globally as well – for instance, it made waves on Billboard’s Global 200 and in multiple country charts, firmly establishing Tyla as a new international pop presence.
Her self-titled debut album TYLA (2024) — which included “Water” and other early singles — was a chart-topping release that has garnered over 1.6 billion streams to date. The album impressively debuted at #24 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart, a rare achievement for a first project by an African solo artist. By mid-2025, Tyla’s catalog (across all releases) had accumulated nearly 3 billion total streams on Spotify, reflecting how her fanbase and listenership have exploded worldwide in a short span. On Spotify, she reached over 30 million monthly listeners – more than any other African artist in history – briefly ranking among the top 180 most-listened-to artists on the entire platform.
This streaming clout translated into robust chart performances beyond “Water.” “Dynamite” entered Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart with the highest debut of 2025. In her home country, she consistently dominates: multiple singles have hit Top 10 on The Official South African Charts, and she’s a staple of local radio and streaming charts. In the UK, WWP’s singles each impacted the Official Afrobeats Chart (with “Is It” going #1 and “Bliss” top 5), and she even made a dent in the overall UK Singles Chart. Meanwhile, Tyla’s songs have found a home on U.S. radio formats: “Bliss” cracked the Top 30 of the U.S. Pop Airplay chart – a remarkable crossover for a South African track.
Such achievements highlight a shifting music industry paradigm. Tyla’s rise underscores how streaming and virality can catapult a non-Western artist to global chart success, even if traditional album sales lag behind. In late 2025, she took home the American Music Award for Favorite Afrobeats Artist, an award that recognizes streaming and cultural impact over pure sales. She was also nominated for Favorite Female R&B Artist among mainstream American acts – underlining how far her reach has extended.
TikTok Triumphs and Gen-Z Social Media Savvy
No profile of Tyla’s rise is complete without examining her dominance of TikTok and social media, which have been rocket fuel for her career. Tyla is very much a Gen Z artist shaped by the TikTok era – adept at creating music and moments that ignite viral trends across the globe’s phone screens.
It all began with “Water.” The song’s infectious hook sparked a massive TikTok dance challenge in 2023, as users worldwide tried to replicate Tyla’s hypnotic body roll choreography. The “Water” dance craze spread like wildfire, racking up millions of views and user-generated videos. Celebrities, influencers, and fans from Lagos to Los Angeles all posted clips dancing to “Water,” helping drive the song up the charts through sheer virality. In interviews, Tyla has credited TikTok for rising her to global pop stardom – and indeed, the app’s algorithm served as a great equalizer, propelling this young African artist’s music onto countless “For You” pages. By the time Tyla performed the dance herself on big stages, everyone in the crowd already knew the steps.
Rather than being a one-hit TikTok wonder, Tyla has cleverly sustained her social media momentum. She’s active and authentic on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (Twitter), regularly posting choreographed snippets, humorous skits, and personal vlogs that keep fans engaged. For example, when fans clamored for a longer version of “Is It,” she playfully responded with a tongue-in-cheek remark, showing she’s aware of online chatter and isn’t afraid to joke with her audience. This easy rapport makes her incredibly relatable to young fans. Tyla also involves her followers in her journey – teasing new music clips, sharing dance rehearsal footage, and even hopping on trending sounds. The result is a passionate online fandom who proudly call themselves the “Tygers.” Tyla frequently shouts out her “Tygers” by name, both on social media and in live shows, fostering a sense of community that amplifies her cultural impact.
Notably, Tyla’s appeal crosses platforms: she’s as likely to go viral on YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels as on TikTok, given the visually striking nature of her content. Her music videos often spawn trends of their own – whether it’s fans recreating her looks or attempting her sultry choreography. By 2025, she had millions of followers across platforms, and her content routinely racked up millions of views and likes. This kind of organic digital reach is something many major-label artists spend fortunes trying to achieve, yet Tyla has it down to an art through her genuine connection with Gen Z culture.
In March 2025, she hosted the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards – a high-energy, slime-filled event watched by millions of young viewers. As host (and a double winner that night, including “Favorite Global Music Star”), Tyla charmed audiences with her bubbly personality and even incorporated some of her viral dance moves on stage. By the end of the year, Time magazine and other outlets were dubbing her one of the “new icons for Gen Z,” praising how she’s parlayed online popularity into real-world influence. Whether through a 15-second TikTok clip or a full live TV performance, Tyla speaks the digital native language of her generation – and they are listening (and dancing) intently.
Electrifying Performances and Visual Flair
On stage, Tyla has proven she’s far more than a studio confection – she’s a dynamic performer with charisma to spare. 2025, in particular, showcased Tyla’s performance chops on some of music’s biggest stages.
The pinnacle was undoubtedly her debut at Coachella 2025. Tyla embraced an eye-catching early-2000s aesthetic, complete with glittering gold, bold prints, and nostalgic Y2K glam. Musically, she delivered a tour de force of showmanship – even surprising the crowd by mashing her song “On and On” with Aaliyah’s classic “Rock the Boat.” Later in the set, she brought out Becky G as a special guest, and together they performed their duet “On My Body” live for the first time. In the finale, Tyla spray-painted her name on a giant tiger prop in tribute to her “Tygers,” before closing with a mass “Water” dance moment that turned the polo field into one giant synchronized party.
Beyond Coachella, Tyla built a reputation for high-energy performances across award shows and festivals. She swept multiple categories at the MTV Europe Music Awards, won the Billboard Impact Award, and performed on U.S. late-night television. Visually, she has crafted a distinct aesthetic that blends playful, sexy, and trendsetting fashion – from couture Balmain gowns to streetwear-inspired performance outfits. By 2025, Tyla had cemented herself as both a musical and fashion icon.
Global Touring and Media Spotlight
2025 also marked Tyla’s transition into a touring powerhouse. She headlined sold-out homecoming shows in South Africa, one of which was live-streamed to 44 African countries in a historic first. Internationally, she performed at AfroNation Miami, Wireless Festival in London, and prepared to launch her first world tour, We Wanna Party Tour, kicking off in Tokyo in late 2025 – a bold move underscoring her global reach.
Her awards cabinet grew rapidly: Tyla won the first-ever Grammy for Best African Music Performance, multiple BET Awards, and an MTV VMA. She used these moments not just to celebrate, but to educate global audiences about the differences between Afrobeats and Amapiano, proudly amplifying her South African roots. She also hosted youth-focused shows like the Kids’ Choice Awards, proving her versatility across media.
A Gen Z African Icon Bridging Worlds
Tyla’s journey by 2025 illustrates how a young artist from Johannesburg can become a global Gen Z icon by being unapologetically herself. She stands at a unique intersection of cultures – African and international, digital and traditional – and has leveraged that position to create something genuinely new in pop music.
Her impact stretches across continents. In the U.S., she’s recognized alongside Gen Z’s top pop and R&B stars. In Europe, especially the UK, she’s embraced by diaspora-heavy audiences. Across Africa, she’s a unifying figure, celebrated as a trailblazer and ambassador for South African creativity. For Gen Z globally, her authenticity, digital fluency, and joyful spirit make her deeply relatable.
By the end of 2025, Tyla had avoided being pigeonholed as a one-hit wonder. Instead, she built a growing catalog, an iconic brand, and a reputation as a bold, stylish, and authentic voice of her generation. A full-length album is highly anticipated, with fans eager for her next genre-bending moves. As one fan put it online: “Tyla is making the world dance to Africa’s beat – Gen Z’s very own global pop princess.”
Her party is just getting started – and everyone’s invited.
