Tyla, South Africa’s Grammy-winning Amapiano-pop star, made waves again this week with a March 12 X post thanking fans for streaming “Water” two years after its 2023 release: “Still pouring, still winning.
Love y’all.” With her debut album’s anniversary approaching (March 22), speculation’s rife about a deluxe drop or tour announcement. X users are hyping her as “Piano’s global queen,” tying her success to the genre’s staying power. You could pair this with Momo’s story for a “Amapiano’s dual lanes” angle—her pop polish versus his underground soul.
A Milestone That Keeps Giving
Tyla’s “Water” didn’t just make waves—it created a tsunami. The track, a sultry fusion of Amapiano’s log drums and pop-R&B flair, snagged her the inaugural Best African Music Performance Grammy last year, beating heavyweights like Burna Boy and Davido. At 22, she became the youngest African artist to claim a golden gramophone, a feat that cemented her as Amapiano’s global ambassador. Fast forward to 2025, and “Water” is still a streaming juggernaut, racking up over a billion plays across platforms. Her X post this week wasn’t just a flex—it was a love letter to fans who’ve kept the song alive, proving Tyla’s staying power is no fluke.
Amapiano’s Poster Child
Tyla’s rise isn’t just her own—it’s Amapiano’s too. Born in Johannesburg, she’s carried the genre’s soulful, bass-heavy sound from South Africa’s townships to international stages. Her self-titled debut album, Tyla, dropped on March 22, 2024, blending Amapiano with pop and R&B on tracks like “Truth or Dare” and “On My Body.” Critics hailed it as a genre-defining moment, yet its 2025 Grammy snub left fans scratching their heads. Still, Tyla’s unbothered. Her recent deluxe release, Tyla+, featuring bangers like “Push 2 Start” with Sean Paul, shows she’s doubling down on Amapiano’s versatility, mixing it with dancehall and keeping it fresh for a global audience.
The numbers back her up. Amapiano streams topped 1.4 billion on Spotify in 2023, and Tyla’s been a key driver in that surge. Her December 2024 homecoming tour—featuring Amapiano stars like Kelvin Momo and Daliwonga—sold out arenas in Cape Town and Tshwane, proving the genre’s local roots still run deep. On X, fans crown her “Piano’s global queen,” with one user gushing, “Tyla’s taking Amapiano where it deserves to be—everywhere.” Her Grammy glow isn’t fading—it’s amplifying a sound that’s now a contender alongside Afrobeats and K-pop.
What’s Next for Tyla and Amapiano?
With the one-year anniversary of Tyla approaching, whispers of a deluxe drop or tour expansion are swirling. Her March 12 post hinted at more to come, and industry buzz suggests she’s cooking up something big—maybe a collab with another global icon or a headline slot at a major festival. Tyla’s not resting on her laurels; she’s pushing Amapiano’s boundaries, from red carpets (think her lace minidress at the 2024 CFDA Awards) to runways (her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show gig last October).
Her influence is undeniable. Amapiano’s getting nods everywhere—Kelvin Momo’s latest teaser is sparking its own buzz this week—but Tyla’s the face tying it all together. She’s weathered Grammy snubs and genre debates (she’s firm: “I represent Amapiano, not Afrobeats”), emerging stronger each time. As one X fan put it, “Tyla’s glow is Amapiano’s glow—she’s our superstar.” With “Water” still pouring and her star still rising, Tyla’s ensuring the world doesn’t just hear Amapiano—it feels it.