Tyla Biography: Age, Height, Parents, Ethnicity & Grammy-Winning

Early Life and Musical Roots

Tyla Laura Seethal, professionally known as Tyla, was born on January 30, 2002, in Edenvale, Gauteng, South Africa. Growing up in Johannesburg, she was one of four children raised in a musically rich household by her parents, Sharleen and Sherwin Seethal. Her childhood was filled with the sounds of Aaliyah, Boyz II Men, Michael Jackson, Mi Casa, and Rihanna, fostering her dream of becoming a global music star.

From as early as age 12, Tyla was writing songs in her diary and creating music for family celebrations like Father’s Day and Mother’s Day. In high school, she started posting covers and original songs online while spending weekends recording in local studios. Despite family concerns about the instability of a music career, Tyla remained determined, even considering mining engineering before fully committing to her artistic path.

Breakthrough and Rise to Fame

Tyla’s first major breakthrough came in 2020 with her single Getting Late featuring Kooldrink, which gained viral attention in South Africa. But it was her 2023 global hit “Water” that catapulted her to international fame. The song sparked the viral #WaterChallenge on TikTok, amassing over 9.6 billion views and inspiring millions worldwide with its catchy beat and dance.

“Water” not only topped the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart but also reached the Top 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its success earned Tyla performances on major platforms like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and coverage by Rolling Stone, Billboard, Cosmopolitan, and i-D Magazine.

Achievements and Genre Innovation

Tyla’s music is known for blending pop with South African Amapiano, creating what she calls “popiano.” Her dedication to genre innovation earned her:

• First Grammy win for Best African Music Performance in 2024 with “Water”