Tyla puts SA on the map with top 10 Rolling Stone ranking

by Staff Bona

South African music star, Tyla, has received incredible recognition for her hard work this past year after she secured 6th place on Rolling Stone’s 2024 album rankings.

Tyla’s debut album, Tyla has catapulted her up the ladder of success on the global stage, leading to international awards including a Grammy award, an MTV EMA and VMA. Her hit song, Water has become a hit due to its impeccable blend of Afrobeats, R&b and hip-hop, putting South Africa on the global music stage.

Tyla’s album placed 6th place out of the top 100 albums in the world, losing out only to Charli XCX’s Brat, Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter, MJ Lenderman’s Manning Fireworks, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n Sweet and Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft.

According to Rolling Stone, Tyla was praised for her variation of styles and music skills.

“The long-awaited debut by the 22-year-old Johannesburg native Tyla arrives at a time when South African amapiano is poised to globalize like never before. Bring it on. Her global hit “Water” was undeniable, but what’s more captivating here are the songs that feel less designer-hotel happy hour and more after-hours. “Truth or Dare” pushes the log drum beats out front, while the stacked vocal chorus achieves liftoff. Ditto “No. 1,” Tyla’s team-up with Afrobeat queen Tems. Amapiano couldn’t ask for a more effective ambassador,” Rolling Stone’s Will Hermes said.

Compiled by: Matthew Petersen

First published on: African Insider

Also see: Tyla embraces her shady side at Cape Town homecoming show- ‘Where are my uppity Africans?’