If you’re one of the over half a billion people who’s streamed Tyla’s instant viral hit “Water” since last July, chances are you haven’t been able to get the catchy hook out of your head. But for the Johannesburg native, the track was more than the addictive song of the summer, it marked the beginning of her quest to bring South African culture to the forefront of the global music scene.

If the single was an announcement of her intentions to break through on her own terms, the singer’s self-titled debut album TYLA is proof that she’s already well on her way to superstardom. The 14 tracks complement one another seamlessly, utilizing the recent Grammy-winner’s signature mix of pop, R&B, afrobeats, and amapiano (a specifically South African subgenre of house music) to create something simultaneously experimental yet true to her roots. “When I was younger, I always wanted to see a South African girl doing the things that I wanted to do,” she tells V over the phone. “So I really would like to give that [example] to not only South African girls, but all African girls, and all girls everywhere—just to show that no matter where you’re from, it is possible. Because being in South Africa, it didn’t seem possible [for me] at the time. Just bringing this genre that I’ve been loving for years, and that people in Africa have been dancing to for years – sharing it with the world and seeing how they love it is such a nice thing to see.”

On “Jump,” a collaboration with rapper Gunna and Jamaican dancehall DJ and rapper Skillibeng, Tyla is more confident than ever as she muses, “They never had a pretty girl from Joburg / See me now, and that’s what they prefer / I don’t touch no wheel ‘cause I gotta chauffeur / First class how I get ‘round the world.” On this project, Tyla proves herself to be many things—but one thing she is not is a one-hit wonder. She’s here to stay, and if these songs are any indication, the talented artist thrives under pressure to follow up hits. She’s just getting started.

V MAGAZINE: You’ve had an incredible year! Though you released your first single “Getting Late” in 2019, last year, you absolutely exploded in popularity—largely thanks to your viral sensation “Water.” The hit track led to over 500 million streams globally, a Grammy award, a TikTok dance trend performed over 5 million times, and even remixes featuring Travis Scott and Marshmello—all before your 22nd birthday. Did you expect “Water” to take off like that?

TYLA: No, not at all. It came as a surprise to all of us, myself and my whole team. It was really a cool moment.

V: What do you think it was about that pivotal moment in your career, your sound, and the direction you took at that time that resonated with audiences?

T: I don’t know, I feel like maybe [because] it was something new. It was even new for people back home in South Africa, because even though the [Bacardi] dance style was around for years, it was never really [applied to modern] music like this. So it was that dance style with the style of music that I make, and I feel like people just liked it. And I’m happy that they did because it really changed my whole life.

V: Reflecting back on your roots, you started writing music at just 12 years old, growing up in South Africa. How has your trajectory as a young songwriter influenced your career now?

T: All those years of writing, making music by myself, performing in talent shows or for family, acting in plays—I feel like all of those moments developed me in a way and help me now as a performer and as an artist. Just having had some sort of experience, even though it wasn’t professional, it definitely helped me.

V: Obviously, you’re very multifaceted: You’re a singer, a songwriter, a dancer, and you mentioned acting as well. Do you think that your performing arts experience helped influence your artistry as a whole? What was it like growing up acting in plays?

T: Yeah, definitely. I loved doing it in school. Every single play, I would be there auditioning and singing and acting. I just loved playing a character on stage and entertaining people, really. So I really incorporate those [passions] into my performance today. I love combining everything that I enjoy into one show, balancing acting [and] singing. I really have fun with it.

V: That’s so cool. I think it really shines through in your performance art, and of course, on your highly-anticipated debut album TYLA, which came out March 22nd. The album really showcases your incredible range and signature sound. In the years that you’ve spent working on this project, how have you noticed your sound and personal style evolve?

T: It evolved a lot. I’ve loved fashion and music since I was very young, but I never really had the resources when I was growing up to access the things that I personally liked. Now, I’m able to play around more and get the pieces and wear the things that I’ve always wanted to wear, so I’m enjoying that as well. And musically, my direction has always been to take African sounds to the world and mix pop, R&B, afrobeats, and amapiano together and make it huge. All those years of trying, making terrible songs, making okay songs, brought me to this point where I feel like I’ve made a sound that I’m happy bringing to the world.

This story appears in the pages of V149: now available for purchase!

Photography Alvaro Beamud Cortés

Fashion Anna Trevelyan

Makeup Jamal Scott

Hair Hos (The Wall Group)

Manicure Sonya Meesh (Forward) using DIOR Vernis

Digital technician Jacky Jiang

Photo assistants Simone Triacca, Astin Ferreras

Stylist assistants Niambi Moore, Liv Vitale

Makeup assistant Hinako Takagaki

Hair assistant Elise Bueno

Location Smashbox BK