“Grammy Nominee Tyla Hits a New High with ‘Water,’ Breaking into the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100”
At just 21 years old, South African singer Tyla is making waves on both local and international music scenes with her hit “Water.” Her latest accomplishment as the first African female solo artist to reach No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 is a historic moment, not just for her career but for South African music as a whole. It’s been over half a century since a solo track from a South African artist, Hugh Masekela’s “Grazing in the Grass,” achieved a similar feat in 1968.
Tyla’s “Water” has now surpassed Miriam Makeba’s “Pata Pata,” the previous record-holder for a solo African female artist, which peaked at No. 12 in 1967. However, Nigerian singer Tems still holds the overall record for an African female artist, featuring on chart-topping collaborations with global stars like Justin Bieber, Wizkid, and Drake.
Gaining international recognition, Tyla’s “Water” has also climbed to No. 6 on the Billboard Global 200 chart. She boasts an impressive 29 million monthly listeners on Spotify, setting a new record for an African female artist. The single’s global sales figures further attest to its success, with significant numbers in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
