South Africans woke up to global bragging rights once again, Tyla’s chart-smashing hit Water has been officially ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the “250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century”, landing at number 135.
For a 23-year-old artist who only broke out a few years ago, this isn’t just a career milestone, it’s a cultural shift. Tyla isn’t riding the global wave; she is the wave.
📀 Rolling Stone Ranks Tyla’s “Water” Among the Best Songs of the 21st Century
Tyla’s global hit “Water” has been ranked #135 out of 250 on Rolling Stone’s list of the Best Songs of the 21st Century, standing tall among some of music’s biggest icons. 🌍
“Tyla sidled onto the… pic.twitter.com/Umr4pnXPT5
— Tyla Metrics (@TylaMetrics) October 8, 2025
Amapiano Goes Global And Tyla Is Its Frontline Ambassador
In its write-up, Rolling Stone praised Water for the way Tyla “drapes her breathy, iridescent voice over amapiano’s trademark thunk-thunk log-drum beats.” The recognition goes far beyond just vocals, it’s a nod to South Africa’s fastest-growing genre shaping mainstream pop.
The curated list spotlights songs that have defined the past 25 years, a mashup of Afrobeats, reggaeton, K-pop, Latin trap, indie pop and electronic fusion. Tyla’s inclusion alongside musical giants signals one thing: African pop is not a “feature” anymore. It is the moment.
From Johannesburg Bedroom Recordings to Global Dominance
Tyla didn’t emerge from nowhere. Before Water, she was already quietly carving a path:
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2019: Broke through with Getting Late
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Blood & Water soundtrack: Featured on Overdue with DJ Lag & Kooldrink
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TikTok takeover: Water blew up after the viral dance challenge
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Billboard history: First South African soloist in decades to crack the Hot 100
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Jimmy Fallon debut: Introduced her sound to US late-night TV
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Billboard Afrobeats crown: 50 weeks at #1, the longest-running solo #1 for a female artist
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Global charts: Topped rankings in the UK, Australia, NZ and beyond
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Grammy win: First-ever winner of “Best African Music Performance” in 2024
Within a year, Water went from a trending challenge to a global classic.
Social Media Reaction: Pride, Shock and “She Did It Again”
South Africans wasted no time claiming bragging rights online.
On X and TikTok, fans called the moment “history in real-time,” “SA excellence,” and “a win for the whole continent.” Some joked that Tyla has achieved in three years what some artists chase for decades.
Amapiano producers and DJs, many who’ve quietly built the genre’s foundation also celebrated, calling this moment a breakthrough for the entire movement.
More Than a Song, It’s a Cultural Marker
What makes Water special isn’t just its accolades, it’s what it represents. The track blends:
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South African rhythm
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Youthful storytelling
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Pop structure
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Internet virality
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Amapiano authenticity
It’s not just crossover music, it’s music that refuses to translate itself for global approval. Instead, it invites the world in.
Rolling Stone’s recognition cements Water as more than a viral South African export, it’s a track that shaped pop culture and redefined what mainstream sound can be.
What’s Next for Tyla?
With only one album out and the world already labeling her a generational voice, Tyla has stepped into rare territory, the kind of impact usually reserved for artists a decade into their careers.
She’s no longer just the face of “popiano” she’s a symbol of South Africa’s creative force finally receiving global credit.
And at just 23, she’s only just getting started.
Source: IOL
Featured Image: Vecteezy