South African star Tyla dazzled as the cover star of NYLON Magazine’s 2025 Music Issue. The singer’s rise from Johannesburg’s bustling streets to international stardom is nothing short of meteoric.
Her latest feature not only celebrates her chart-topping music but also her fearless fashion sense and proud representation of African culture.
TYLA, THE COVER STAR
Tyla commands attention with a mix of sleek monochrome ensembles and vibrant, eclectic outfits. Each look radiates confidence and youthful rebellion.
The concept perfectly captures her evolving style, the magazine goes on to praise her for bringing “African excellence to the world – and doing it proudly.”
The amapiano star revealed she wants to be seen for just herself as she works on her next album, according to The Yanos.
TYLA, THE RISING ICON
In an exclusive interview, Tyla opened up about her journey from a Johannesburg girl to a global icon. She shares candid moments about her family’s reaction to her fame.
“My mum told me, ‘They ask me for pictures too, Tyla,’” she laughs. Fame, it seems, runs in the family now. Despite her success, Tyla remains grounded and focused on her artistry.
She teases fans with the promise of a rap track on her upcoming album.“One day, you’re going to get that Tyla rap song. It’s hot. I want to show people I’m more diverse than they think”.
Tyla’s music is deeply rooted in her South African experience, she describes the Johannesburg CBD as the heartbeat of her sound.
THE SMASH HIT ‘WATER’
The chaos of vibrant street life and the sound of taxis and local music all inspire her. “That feels like how my dance music feels,” she explains, highlighting the authentic African energy in her work.
Her 2023 smash hit Water made history as the first African female solo artist’s song to reach the Billboard Hot 100 top 10.
She also became the most-streamed track by an African soloist on Spotify. It also earned her a Grammy for Best African Music Performance.
Yet, Tyla insists she never aimed for crossover success. “I feel like you can never go wrong if you’re just being true to what you feel,” she says.
AFRICAN MUSIC TO THE WORLD
Tyla also dreams big for African music, she hopes to see pure African sounds, untouched by Western pop influences. “I’m an African girl, and I’m always going to be,” she affirms.
Balancing fame with fun, Tyla embraces her 20s with a carefree spirit. “Your 20s are a time when you just have fun… I don’t want to look back and regret not living it up,” she shares.
Tyla is more than a rising star-she’s a South African icon in the making, ready to take on the world on her terms.
Her NYLON cover cements her status as a global force to watch, proudly carrying the torch for African music and culture.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT TYLA’S RISE TO INTERNATIONAL FAME?
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