FEATURE: Spotlight: Tyla — Music Musings & Such

FEATURE:

Spotlight

PHOTO CREDIT: Anthony Bila for Breakroom Africa

Tyla

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I know there will be a slew of interviews…

soon with an artist who broke through during the pandemic. Getting onto the radar in 2020, 2021 was a very busy year for her. I think this year is one where Tyla puts out her best work. Perhaps her most prolific year so far. Tyla Seethal is a South African singer who first found fame on TikTok. After finding a huge fanbase and popularity on the platform, she released the huge song, Getting Late, with Kooldrink. Since then, she has put out other material. I don’t think I have included many South African artists in my blog. Perhaps not as renowned as the U.K. and U.S. when it comes to artists, it is clear that 2023 is a year when Tyla will attack and gain a huge footing. She is definitely someone you should know about. As there are not any interviews (that I can find) from last year, I will go back to 2021. It was the year when Tyla came to prominence and was getting noticed. 1883 Magazine asked Tyla about Getting Late and how the song came together. She was also asked about breaking out as an artist during the pandemic:

“So, first of all, congratulations on the single. What would you say was the initial journey to making this song happen?

Ever since I was little whenever anybody asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up I always said that I wanted to be a singer. I would say that I started taking it seriously at the end of high school, I posted covers and original songs on Instagram and I got discovered by my now manager in 2019. And that was a total change with everything I started exploring my sound it was my first time I had ever recorded anything in general and that was when I met Kooldrink who is the producer of my single. We recorded multiple songs and tried multiple genres and when we came across Getting Late we knew that was the one we wanted to break out with. It was my first time I tried Amapiano it was the first time Kooldrink had ever done Amapiano, we knew that it was something we wanted to do and the fact that my voice is more poppy and his production tends to be more electronic so we managed to find a balance in between and that’s how we came up with Getting Late.

PHOTO CREDIT: Flourish and Multiply

You worked with Kooldrink who was the producer on the song, how did that initial meeting happen

When my manager discovered me, he brought me and my parents to meet and I was told that we were going to record that same day. That night I was staying up trying to write a random song to this beats I was sent. I then went in and we met Kooldrink and I recorded that same day for the first time ever.

With him being a new producer himself what has that collaboration process like for the both of you

Kooldrink taught me a lot of the basics. I came into really knowing nothing about recording and all these technical things. I was just a singer that sang in the room, and he taught me things like mic control, harmonisation a lot of the things that I know now. Initially it was difficult because we were both trying to meet in the middle and get to know each other sounds and how to work together. However, when we got into the groove it was just great and that’s how the song came together because we were both just being very creative and giving it our all and things just started flowing from there. It was a very natural process.

The song came out at the end of 2019 and so just with everything that has happened since then what has that been like?

It has been crazy, its been so exciting for me and for my whole team. A lot of work came from the team so its an excitement that we are all sharing right now because although we were hoping for a good response we were never expecting one lik this. We are just truly blessed and excited for the future.

You mentioned this is your first venture into Amapiano with both yourself and Kooldrink is this an area you see yourself going into or are you still exploring your sound?

As a singer I’d say that my voice is more on the pop and R&B side if you had to ask me but as an artist, I would love to be able to explore as many genres as I can. I would love to be able to make fusion type music mixing my voice with other genres and making it my own, which was basically what we did with the song. Although its Amapiano it’s a different type of Amapiano so I feel like that’s something I want to do with different types of genres, just try make it my own and add something fresh into the music scene.

As a new artist yourself what has it been like breaking out during this time?

So initially after we released the single last year was supposed to be the “breakout” and then COVID happened and shook all of us. It very difficult because I wasn’t able to do the things I would’ve liked to do, so it was very difficult for me especially because I’m very ambitious and I dont like sitting and not doing anything. It was very frustrating, and then as soon as things started lifting I just straightaway started working again with my team, recording, finishing the music video and we did as much as we can just ready for this year because we knew if last year wasn’t the year then this year is going to be the year that we take everyone for a ride. And although it was difficult it was worth the wait”.

I do think that this year is going to be an exciting one for Tyla. She has already been tipped by some sites as a name to watch through 2023. We will definitely get more singles from her – and maybe an E.P. would not be out of the question. I want to come to an interview from Metal Magazine, where we learn more about her upbringing and her path to becoming an artist. Someone who is inspired by the artists and visuals of the 2000s American R&B scene, I wonder whether this will be explored more in future singles and videos:

“Could you tell us a bit about your upbringing and what led you to want to become a singer and performer?

Ever since I could say the word ‘singer’, it was all I told people I wanted to be. I grew up listening to almost every genre and I come from a very musical family. My love for music started very early in my childhood. I remember watching Michael Jackson and Rihanna concerts, music videos and just imagining myself in that space. Nothing else ever felt right and I truly believe it’s my calling.

I read that you have been really inspired by 2000’s American R&B music and music videos from artists like Aaliyah and Cassie, in what ways did they inspire you?

American R&B is the music I grew up on. Boyz II Men, Kem, Tevin Campbell, Aaliyah, Cassie and the list goes on and on. I love the groove of the music and how it can make you feel so many different emotions. I listened to Aaliyah and Cassie dreaming I could also be a superstar one day. Them being young Women of Colour was something that motivated me and kept my dreams strong.

Coming from the music scene in South Africa, what can you tell us about it and how has it shaped the way you approach your music?

The music scene is South Africa and Africa in general is so evident in the culture. I can confidently say that Africa is the continent of music. The music scene here is huge and I’m super excited to see more of a global audience pay attention to what we have going on out here. The music scene has been dominated by the genre Amapiano and I am in love with it. It is a genre that originated here, and I fused it with pop to make my single Getting Late. In SA we love to dance so I keep that in mind when creating my music.

You have talked about how much you love singing and dancing, but you also enjoy acting, drawing and writing – outside of music, what kind of things inspire you artistically?

I genuinely just enjoy the arts and everything that falls under it. In South Africa, we are so rich in culture so there is always space to be inspired. Whenever I see or hear something I like, it is an inspiration to do more and just be present in every space I can.

TikTok and other social media platforms are good for getting exposure as an artist; how do you approach social media and how does it feel having such a large following already?

Social media is an amazing tool for artists as it helps me engage with my supporters and share my work with millions of people all around the world. I genuinely enjoy creating content and have been for a long time. I don’t take social media too seriously but it has become a part of my job and something I have to keep up with. The following grew gradually so I’ve gotten used to it over the years. I choose not to comprehend the number and just act as if it’s a value on the screen. I’m super grateful for my supporters and audience. It feels great knowing they have my back”.

I will round things off with a recent feature from Out Now. After a little bit of a gap between releases, it was great to hear news that put out the incredible To Last in November. It does seem to signal that we will get more new tracks from the brilliant Tyla very soon. She is a sensational talent who is going to be among the brightest and best young artists to watch. I love her sound and vibe, and I do feel she is going to be around for many years. If you have not heard Tyla, then go and follow her and familiarise yourself with her awesome sound. She is very much primed for stardom. It is exciting hearing these early sound and footsteps:

“African superstar singer and songwriter Tyla unleash a new dreamy single “To Last” via FAX Records/Epic Records

It notably marks her first release since 2021.

She leans into this soundscape with confessional lyrics such as “You never gave us a chance, it’s like you never wanted us to last.” Taking a left turn, the momentum spirals into a dancefloor-ready bounce uplifted by her vocal echoes.

Last year, Tyla made waves with “Overdue” [feat. DJ Lag & Kooldrink]. In addition to piling up over million streams, it soundtracked the Season 2 trailer for NETFLIX’s Blood and Water.

Tyla initially broke through with the 2020 smash “Getting Late” [feat. Kooldrink]. Beyond generating over 5 million streams and counting, it inspired widespread praise from PAPER, i-D, and more.

Tyla spent countless hours honing her voice at home, singing with her siblings every Sunday as part of a weekly tradition. At the same time, dad introduced her to R&B and soul, encouraging her to eventually experiment with styles and cultures. By high school, she began posting covers on Instagram before catching the attention of her Creative Director Garth Von Glehn. She wrote and recorded “Getting Late” with Kooldrink in 2020. Upon the video release in January 2021, it resounded around the globe, reeling in millions of views and notching tastemaker praise”.

Go and spend some time with the incredible Tyla. There are so many artists coming through right now being spotlighted for success. I think some of them will not be able to compete with the best of the best and endure. That is not the case with Tyla. She is someone who is definitely going to be in the top leagues, guaranteed to be around for a very long time. The South African musician is going to make this year…