Tyla (Singer), Age, Education, Height, Songs, Boyfriend, and Net Worth
Tyla Biography | Wikipedia
Tyla Laura Seethal, known professionally as Tyla, is a South African singer and songwriter who gained international recognition with her hit single “Water” in 2023. Born on January 30, 2002, in Johannesburg, South Africa, she has quickly risen to prominence in the global music scene.
Early Life and Roots
Born in Edenvale, Gauteng, Tyla comes from a multicultural Coloured family with Indian, Indo-Mauritian, Zulu, and Irish ancestry. Raised in the bustling heart of Johannesburg, she graduated from Edenglen High School in 2019, where she was Head of Culture.
Tyla began writing and sharing music during her senior year, posting covers and original songs on Instagram. She was soon discovered by Garth von Glehn, who became her first manager and arranged her initial studio sessions. By her own admission, she spent most weekends that year recording music, laying the foundation for her future career.
Tyla Laura Seethal: The Rise of the “Queen of Popiano”
Tyla Laura Seethal (born January 30, 2002), known professionally as Tyla, is a South African singer and songwriter who has taken the global music scene by storm with her vibrant blend of pop and amapiano—a genre fusion that’s earned her the title “Queen of Popiano” across international media.
Hailing from Johannesburg, Tyla first caught attention with her breakout 2019 single “Getting Late,” which set the stage for a remarkable rise. After signing with Epic Records in 2021, she achieved worldwide acclaim with the 2023 smash hit “Water.” The track made history by becoming the first song by a South African soloist in over five decades to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, catapulting her into international superstardom. “Water” would later earn Tyla her first Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance, making her the youngest African artist ever to win a Grammy.
Her self-titled debut album, Tyla (2024), followed soon after and received widespread critical acclaim. It made top-25 chart appearances in several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and South Africa, further solidifying her status as a global star.
2019–2022: From “Getting Late” to Local Stardom
After completing high school, Tyla self-released “Getting Late” in late 2019, collaborating with producer Kooldrink. Though shot under the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the music video—filmed by her manager—was released in January 2021 and quickly racked up millions of YouTube views. It went on to earn a nomination for Best Music Video of the Year at the South African Music Awards in 2022.
Originally pursuing a degree in mining engineering, Tyla eventually convinced her parents to let her take a gap year to pursue music full-time. That leap of faith paid off when she signed with Epic Records through Fax Records in 2021. She released follow-up singles “Overdue” in October 2021 and “To Last” in November 2022, continuing to build momentum.
2023–Present: Global Breakthrough with “Water”
Tyla’s international breakthrough came in 2023 with the sultry track “Been Thinking,” which earned her her first appearances on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Rhythmic Airplay charts. Pitchfork described the track as a “slick club anthem” reminiscent of early Rihanna and Ciara. She also joined Chris Brown as the opening act on his Under the Influence Tour, further introducing her to global audiences.
In July 2023, Tyla released “Water,” the lead single from her debut album. The track went viral on TikTok, spurred by a widely-shared dance challenge, and shot into the top 10 in countries like South Africa, the UK, and the US. She became the first South African solo artist in 55 years to enter the Billboard Hot 100 since Hugh Masekela in 1968.
Following the success of “Water,” Tyla performed on shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Bianca Show in Sweden. The song’s music video, released in October 2023, racked up 3 million views in just three days.
Later that year, she appeared on Summer Walker’s Girls Mix EP, contributing to a remix of “Girls Need Love.” In December 2023, she unveiled three new songs—“Truth or Dare,” “On and On,” and “Butterflies”—as a teaser for her debut album.
On December 19, 2023, Tyla performed a powerful medley of “Water” and “Truth or Dare” during the season 24 finale of The Voice. At the 66th Grammy Awards in February 2024, Tyla made history by winning the first-ever Best African Music Performance award for “Water.”
2024: Debut Album, Award Wins, and Global Stardom
Tyla’s long-awaited debut album Tyla dropped on March 22, 2024, to widespread acclaim. The project debuted in the top 25 in countries such as the United States, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, and New Zealand. The visuals for her song “Art” were released the same day as the album.
She earned six nominations at the 18th Metro FM Music Awards, and at the 2024 BET Awards, she tied with Usher and Victoria Monét for most wins of the night—delivering a vibrant performance of “Jump” with Gunna and Skillibeng.
On October 11, 2024, she released a deluxe edition of her debut album, featuring three new songs including “Push 2 Start,” a reggae-infused amapiano-pop track. The song was well received, and its music video premiered on November 8, 2024.
In the same period, Tyla performed at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2024 and made her debut at the MTV Europe Music Awards on November 11, 2024, performing “Push 2 Start” and “Water.” That night, she walked away with three EMA trophies: Best African Act, Best Afrobeats Artist, and Best R&B Artist.
In early 2025, Tyla collaborated with Thai rapper Lisa on the track “When I’m With You,” featured on Lisa’s album Alter Ego, released on February 28, 2025.
Tyla Age
As of 2025, Tyla is 23 years old. She was born on January 30, 2002.
Tyla Education
Tyla attended Edenglen High School in Johannesburg, where she served as Head of Culture and graduated in 2019. During her final year, she began pursuing a music career, recording songs and covers on Instagram. She was discovered by her first manager, Garth von Glehn, who organized her initial recording sessions.
Family
Tyla was born to Sharleen and Sherwin Seethal. Her father hails from Mauritius and is of Indian heritage, while her mother is a South African native of Zulu descent.
Parents
Her parents, Sharleen and Sherwin Seethal, have been supportive of her career, although they initially had reservations about her pursuing music.
Tyla Siblings
There is limited public information about Tyla’s siblings, suggesting she may be an only child or prefers to keep her family life private.
Tyla Met Gala
Tyla made her Met Gala debut in 2024, wearing a custom Balmain gown made of sand and micro-crystals, embodying the theme “Garden of Time.” Due to the fragility of the dress, she was carried up the museum steps by a team of handlers.
In 2025, she returned to the Met Gala in a custom white Jacquemus gown adorned with black pinstripes, reflecting the evening’s “Tailored For You” dress code. Styled by Law Roach, her look was elevated with over 30 carats of diamonds from Pandora.
Tyla Dance
Tyla’s signature dance style gained popularity with her song “Water,” featuring hip movements inspired by South African dance styles. The dance, often associated with the song’s chorus, became a viral trend on social media platforms.
Height
Tyla stands at approximately 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) tall.
Where is Tyla From
Tyla was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. She often references her hometown in her music, highlighting her South African roots.
Ethnicity
Tyla identifies as Coloured, a term used in South Africa to describe individuals of mixed heritage. Her ancestry includes Indian, Zulu, Mauritian, and Irish roots.
Tyla Singer
Tyla is a singer and songwriter known for blending genres like pop, R&B, and amapiano. She gained international fame with her hit single “Water” and has since released her self-titled debut album, “Tyla,” in March 2024.
Boyfriend
As of now, she has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships. She has been linked to a rumored boyfriend named Geo, a rapper with whom she was seen in Japan. However, Tyla stated in an interview that she “doesn’t really date.”
Tyla Songs
Her discography includes her debut album “Tyla,” released in March 2024, featuring singles like “Water,” “Truth or Dare,” “Art,” and “Jump.” She also released a deluxe edition titled “Tyla +” in October 2024, which includes the single “Push 2 Start.”
Is Tyla Indian
She has Indian heritage through her father, who is of Indian descent from Mauritius. She also has Zulu, Mauritian, and Irish ancestry.
Tyla Push 2 Start
“Push 2 Start” is a single by Tyla, released in October 2024 as part of the deluxe edition of her debut album, “Tyla +.” The song blends amapiano, pop, R&B, and reggae elements, using car metaphors to explore themes of commitment and attraction. It peaked at number 1 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart and the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.
Christina Milian and Tyla
Christina Milian has acknowledged Tyla’s talent, stating that she is “beautiful and talented” but noted that she isn’t bringing anything different to the stage and that her stage presence can be boring at times.
Tyla Truth or Dare
“Truth or Dare” is one of the singles from Tyla’s debut album, “Tyla,” released in March 2024. The song showcases her blend of pop and R&B influences.
Net Worth
Her net worth is estimated to be over $1 million, attributed to the success of her music career, including her hit single “Water,” debut album sales, and brand endorsements.
Legacy and Impact
Tyla’s rise from Instagram covers to global stages is more than a rags-to-riches story—it’s a testament to the power of genre-blending, authenticity, and cultural fusion. With a Grammy in hand, chart-topping singles, and a growing collection of international accolades, she’s not just redefining what it means to be a South African pop star—she’s becoming one of the defining voices of a generation.