IN CONVERSATION WITH TYLA

interview by JANA LETONJA

Infused with her vibrant personality, TYLA’s music pushes boundaries. Her songs offer an innovative take on pop and R&B, and they shimmer with the euphoria of South African amapiano. Having won her first GRAMMY Award for Best African Music Performance with her single WATER and released her self-titled debut album, TYLA, in March, this year has been a huge milestone in TYLA’s career.

You began immersing in music at the young age of 12 with penning songs in your diary. How have you developed as a musician since you wrote down your first lyrics?
The first few songs I made are unbearable for me to hear. I respect the journey, but looking back, I really notice my growth not only as an artist, but also as a woman. I now have more to speak about in my music, I’ve had heartbreak, I’ve loved, I’ve gone through so many stories that I can now be inspired by when creating. Back then, sharing my feelings always sounded scary to me and I never wanted to do that because I’m more of a private person. I thought I’d just be making vibes for people to dance to, but now I’m making people dance and cry.

What was it about music that got you completely enamoured with it?
I’m a creative and music is my passion, but it’s also the visuals, playing with fashion, acting, modelling, performing, creative direction and so many things that drew me into pursuing this career. I honestly just love coming up with ideas and executing them. I find it so fun and luckily I was blessed with a best friend that has a similar passion, so now we besties are traveling the world and creating art we’ve been wanting to see in the industry.

Looking at your career now, you just released your debut album TYLA. What inspired this album and what meaning does it hold for you personally?
I knew I wanted to be a pop star, but with my version of pop. I could have made bubble gum stereotypical radio pop songs, but that’s not me. I knew exactly what I wanted to sound like and I only wanted this album to have music I would genuinely blast on aux. With each track I started to create on the album, I was like “Yeah, this feels like me”. And after wrapping the album after 3 years, I knew it had to be self-titled.

This album is a result of so many good and bad stories. It feels like a piece of me was given out for the world to listen and watch. It shows where I’m from, my slang, my thoughts, my feelings, what I’ve been through. It’s very intimate and sharing it took a while, but it’s exactly how I envisioned it, so I’m happy.

Which track from the album has the most special meaning to you and why?
I would say BREATHE ME. That song makes me cry and songs that makes me cry are my favorite. Every word, melody, instrument, literally every part of that song feels like love. And I love being in love and having someone that loves me. Even though the lyrics “You don’t need no air just breathe me” are so exaggerated, it was the only way to express how I felt when I was in love. Like, all we need is each other, forget everything else.

The fans got to know you last year with the immense success of your single WATER. How did you deal with the sudden fame and all that comes with it, especially on social media?
I’m just happy people are listening and watching what I put out. I remember when people didn’t really care, so I feel so blessed. Fame sounds so dramatic, but my supporters are growing day by day, which is what I wanted, but there is definitely a weird side. Just the fact that people can randomly record and take pictures or put words in your mouth, fake quote you and make people believe you’ve said things you’ve never said feels so evil.

WATER also gained you your first Grammy award for Best African Music Performance. What does a Grammy Award so early in your career mean to you professionally and also on a personal level?
I didn’t even know my label submitted WATER for a Grammy. It was the last thing I thought I’d be rewarded this early in my career, but at the same time, WATER winning best African Performance of the year is amazing.

With the exception of winning a Grammy, what would you describe as the highlight of your career so far?
Every moment has been insane, but probably releasing a that juicy album.

TEAM CREDITS:
talent TYLA
photography RICHIE SHAZAM
styling RAZ MARTINEZ
makeup JAMAL SCOTT
hair NAEEMAH LAFOND at The Wall Group using Olaplex and Carol’s Daughter
photography assistants LOURDES SALAZAR & MAXWELL MENZIES
market editor HANNAH ATIRA
styling assistants CELINE AZENA & DIAMOND BUCHANAN
makeup assistant HINAKO TAKAGAKI
hair assistant CHRISTINA RENDALL
set design LAUREN NIKROOZ
set design assistant YUMA SHISHIDO
lighting JARED CHRISTIANSEN
video director JEAN PAUL DIA
production TUNNEL MEDIA GROUP
executive producer DANIELLE HAWKINS
senior producer ARIELLE STEVENSON
location RENAISSANCE NEW YORK HARLEM HOTEL
casting TIMI LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN