South African star Tyla sets a new record as her global hit Water surpasses 1 billion streams on Spotify. She becomes the first African female lead artist to achieve this milestone, cementing her status as a global music sensation.
South African music sensation Tyla has achieved a historic milestone as her hit single Water surpasses 1 billion streams on Spotify. This achievement makes her the first African female lead artist to reach this landmark and only the second African artist overall, following Rema’s 2024 success with Calm Down featuring Selena Gomez.
Originally released on July 28, 2023, as the lead single from her self-titled debut album, Water quickly became a global phenomenon. The track climbed the Billboard Hot 100, with its Travis Scott remix peaking at No. 7 and spending 29 weeks on the chart.
Tyla’s meteoric rise has been fueled by her unique sound, which blends Afrobeats, R&B, and Amapiano influences. Her success has earned her prestigious awards, including a Grammy for Best African Song Performance, along with wins at the MTV VMAs, MTV EMAs, and BET Awards.
Her debut album, TYLA, featured guest appearances from Nigerian Grammy winner Tems, Jamaican star Skillibeng, and American rapper Gunna. The project received critical acclaim and peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200, spending 15 weeks on the chart.
Tyla continued her Billboard success with Push 2 Start, which became her second Hot 100 entry. The remix, featuring Jamaican Dancehall legend Sean Paul, further cemented her global appeal.
With Water reaching 1 billion Spotify streams, Tyla’s impact on African and global music is undeniable. As she continues to break records and redefine boundaries, she stands as a trailblazer for African artists on the world stage.
