Tyla Seethal, a 22-year-old South African singer, has etched her name in music history by becoming the youngest-ever Grammy award recipient from South Africa. At the 66th annual Grammy Awards, she clinched her first Grammy in the prestigious “Best African Performance” category.
The ceremony, hosted by the South African-born comedian Trevor Noah, witnessed fierce competition. Fellow South African artist Musa Keys was also recognized in the same category for his work on the song “Unavailable,” co-written with Nigerian megastar Davido. Other notable entries included Amapiano by Asake, Olamide, City Boys by Burna Boy, and Rush by Ayra Starr.
Tyla’s acceptance speech reflected her overwhelming joy and disbelief. She exclaimed, “What the heck, what? Oh my gosh, guys, this is crazy. I never thought I would say I won a Grammy at 22 years old.” She attributed her success to God, her team, and her family, acknowledging the life-changing impact of the past year. Tyla expressed gratitude to the Recording Academy for recognizing the importance of the “Best African Performance” category.
Her breakout hit, “Water,” took the music world by storm, catapulting her to new heights. It became an overnight sensation, making Tyla the first South African solo artist to grace the Billboard Hot 100. The song peaked at number seven after debuting at number 67, and it currently holds the 11th position.
Tyla now joins an exclusive league of South African Grammy winners, sharing the spotlight with renowned performers like Trevor Rabin, Wouter Kellerman, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nomcebo Zikode, Black Coffee, and Zakes Bantwini. Her achievement is a testament to her talent, determination, and the global impact of her music
