She had a dream, and it came true. Tyla, the 22-year-old South African singer, won her first Grammy for best African music performance for her hit song “Water”. She says she felt like she was getting pranked when she received her nomination, but she always hoped to bring more attention to her culture and music. “It’s so important,” she said as she accepted the award.
But Tyla didn’t just win with her voice, she also won with her style. She wore a custom Versace dress that made her look like a mermaid, with cutouts, green studs, and a sheer fishnet covered with Swarovski crystals. She added a personal touch with diamond grills on her teeth, making her smile shine even brighter. “I’m shining on that carpet,” she says, “Come on!”
Tyla’s success is an inspiration for many young artists who dream of making it big. She says “I had a dream that the song was going to blow up,” she says from the hair and makeup chair, “and it ended up happening—so maybe I have super powers.”. And just like that, Tyla is ready for the 2024 Grammys. “Enjoy your day, because I’m gonna enjoy my night,” she says, bidding us adieu.
Tyla’s success story is an inspiration for many young artists who dream of making it big. She started singing when she was just six years old, and she grew up listening to her parents’ music collection, which included legends like Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, and Hugh Masekela. She says she always wanted to bring more attention to her culture and music, and she did. Her song “Water” is a fusion of Afro-pop, R&B, and dancehall, and it features lyrics in English, Zulu, and Xhosa. It’s a catchy and uplifting tune that celebrates life, love, and resilience.
Tyla says she wrote the song after going through a difficult breakup, and she wanted to express her emotions and heal herself. She says she had a dream that the song was going to blow up, and she woke up feeling confident and hopeful. She recorded the song in her bedroom studio, and uploaded it to SoundCloud. She didn’t expect much, but the song went viral, and soon she was getting calls from major labels and producers. She signed with Sony Music Africa, and released her debut EP, “Water”, in 2023. The EP received rave reviews from critics and fans alike, and it earned her a Grammy nomination for best African music performance.
Tyla says she felt like she was getting pranked when she received her nomination, but she was overjoyed and grateful. She says she couldn’t believe that she was competing with some of her idols, like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, and Davido. She says she was nervous and excited to attend the Grammy Awards, and she wanted to make a statement with her outfit. She worked with creative director Thato “thegmni” Nzimande and stylists Katie Qian and Lee Trigg to create a custom Versace dress that matched her personality and style. She says she wanted something organic and sultry, and she loved the seafoam green color and the fishnet design.
Tyla’s look was a hit, and she received compliments from celebrities and fans alike. She says she was starstruck by some of the people she met. She says they were all very nice and supportive, and they gave her advice and encouragement. She says she was especially thrilled to meet Alicia Keys, who presented her with the Grammy award. She says she was speechless and emotional when she heard her name, and she thanked the Recording Academy, her fans, her family, her team, and her country for their support. She says she dedicated the award to all the young African artists who have a dream, and she urged them to never give up. She says she hopes to collaborate with some of the artists she met, and to continue making music that represents her culture and her voice.
Tyla’s Grammy-winning night was a dream come true, literally. She says she feels like she has super powers, and she’s ready to use them for good. She says she wants to use her platform to raise awareness and funds for causes that are close to her heart, like education, health, and women’s empowerment. She says she also wants to travel the world and perform for her fans, and to explore different genres and sounds. She says she has a lot of ideas and plans for the future, and she’s excited to share them with the world. And just like that, Tyla is ready for the 2024 Grammys. “Enjoy your day, because I’m gonna enjoy my night,” she says, bidding us adieu.