South African pop sensation Tyla has made music history by breaking a 56-year-old record previously held by the late Miriam Makeba on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The 23-year-old singer’s single ‘Chanel’ debuted at number 94 on the final Billboard Hot 100 chart of 2025.
Long-standing benchmark
This marks Tyla’s third solo appearance on the prestigious US chart – the most by a South African artist.
The milestone sees Tyla surpass Makeba’s long-standing benchmark set in 1967, when ‘Pata Pata’ peaked at number 12 on the Hot 100.
While Makeba’s hit remains one of the most iconic African songs in global music history, Tyla’s achievement signals a new era for South African artists on international charts.
The success of ‘Chanel’ extends beyond the Hot 100.
The track topped both the US Afrobeats and UK Afrobeats charts in the same week, highlighting its rapid global spread across streaming platforms and radio.
Major international playlists
On Spotify, the song climbed the global chart within weeks of release, amassing tens of millions of streams and securing placement on major international playlists.
Industry analysts say this momentum played a key role in pushing the single into new markets.
Fans and music industry figures have praised Tyla’s achievement on social media, with many describing it as a breakthrough moment for South African music.
Lasting imprint
Her rise places her among a select group of South Africans who have left a lasting imprint on global pop culture.
As her international profile continues to grow, Tyla’s success reflects the expanding global appetite for African and South African voices on the world’s biggest music stages.