Water hitmaker Tyla made history on Sunday, as she became the youngest South African winner of a Grammy Award, following her triumph in the Best African Music Performance category.
Tyla Laura Seethal joins an elite crop of South Africans to win a Grammy that includes Zakes Bantwini, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Soweto Gospel Choir, Black Coffee, Nomcebo Zikode, Wouter Kellerman and Miriam Makeba.
The “Water” singer was nominated alongside ASAKE & Olamide, Burna Boy, Davido featuring Musa Keys and Ayra Starr.
“I never thought I’d say I won a Grammy at 22 years old,” Tyla said as she accepted the award.
“Thank you to the Recording Academy for this category. It’s so important… Last year God decided to change my whole life. So, thank you so much to God, my team and my family. I know my mother is crying somewhere in here [pointing into the audience].”
Largely driven by a viral TikTok dance challenge, Water has broken all sorts of records, one of the biggest being the first SA solo act to chart on Billboard Hot 100.
The song debuted at number 67, peaking at number 7 and currently sits on number 11, having been on the chart for 17 weeks.
