“This year I introduced myself. Next year I’m just going to have fun”: Tyla graces the October issue of ELLE

Photo credit: ELLE’s Magazine/Instagram

The South African shooting star and Grammy award winner, Tylagraces the cover of the October 2024 issue of ELLE magazine. At just 22 years old, Tyla has experienced one of the most meteoric rises in recent music history, captivating audiences around the world. Just a few years ago, she was a high school student in Johannesburg with dreams of fame. Today, she has made history as the first South African solo artist to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 since the legendary Hugh Masekela did so 55 years ago. In addition, Tyla became the first winner of the new Grammy category “Best African Music Performance” for her hit single “Water.”

Tyla looks back on her turbulent year and gives a glimpse of what is to come: “This year I introduced myself. Next year I'm just going to have fun. Do whatever, wear whatever. Just play around a lot and bring a lot of my roots into my music. I'll still be me, still sweaty vibes, but evolved.”

In her interview, Tyla talks about her upcoming project, the rise of African pop worldwide, and her commitment to keeping her culture alive through her music. As she continues to evolve as an artist, Tyla is determined to maintain her authenticity while celebrating her African heritage in everything she creates.

Photo credit: ELLE Magazine/Instagram

Read excerpts from the interview below:

About Amapiano:

“When Subscribe came, we saw everyone's movements change. Seeing the energy of it… it felt so spiritual,” she tells me. “I always wanted to mix it with other styles that I like, like R&B and pop – and make it my own.” It was frustrating to see the unique music of her country, Subscribe To kwaito House, go unnoticed by the rest of the world. “I felt it was so special and needed to be shared. I made my own version of it in the hopes of getting people to dig deeper and discover the other artists we have and the origins of my sound.”

About South African music:

“Another thing about South African music: There can be a depressing song, but the beat makes you want to dance. So I like to incorporate that into my stuff too. While you're crying, dance and shake your butt at the same time,” she says, laughing. Whenever she hears the Subscribe Song “Healer Ntliziyo Yam,” for example, she cries. “I know what I like,” Tyla says. “I know how I want to look. I know what's cool, especially now. I trust my judgement and yes, I love collaborating with people and stepping out of my comfort zone, but not so far away that it feels like something I wouldn't do. If I don't like it, I don't do it.”

When she looks back on her wild year,

“I feel like I've changed a lot in the last few months. People might not notice. I'm excited to see that on my next album.” She describes this change as a sort of detachment from what people say or think about her, after becoming annoyed by the constant comparisons to Rihanna and Britney Spears from the “I'm a Slave 4 U” era. “At first, that was important to me. Lately, I just feel like, 'They're going to say what they want to say and it doesn't even matter because I know it doesn't,'” Tyla says. She posts less and sometimes deletes social media apps from her phone for a week.

“This year I introduced myself. Next year I'm just going to have fun,” she says. “Do what you want, wear what you want. I'm just playing around a lot and bringing a lot of my roots into my music. I'm still going to be me, still sweaty vibes, but evolved.”