By Sitha Maliwa:
From the streets of Johannesburg to the world’s biggest stages, TYLA is no longer simply South Africa’s biggest musical export – she is a global phenomenon rewriting the rules of pop stardom.
The multi-platinum, two-time Grammy Award-winning sensation has officially unleashed her long-awaited sophomore album, A*POP, a bold 14-track project that signals the beginning of an exciting new era in her extraordinary career.
Following the historic success of her debut album TYLA, the singer returns with a collection of songs that effortlessly blend her signature African sound with contemporary global pop. Featuring chart-topping singles such as “CHANEL,” “SHE DID IT AGAIN,” “IS IT,” and “IS IT LOVE,” APOP has already sparked worldwide excitement, with fans eagerly awaiting what many are calling one of the year’s biggest album releases.
The album arrives after months of carefully orchestrated anticipation. TYLA captivated millions by revealing the tracklist through an artistic Instagram campaign, while exclusive listening sessions in London, Atlanta and New York gave devoted fans an intimate first experience of the record. She also partnered with Vevo for a stunning live performance of “IS IT LOVE,” further showcasing her growth as both a vocalist and performer.
But TYLA’s influence now stretches far beyond music.
In another landmark achievement, she unveiled her own Bratz doll, cementing her growing cultural impact and joining an elite group of global entertainers immortalised by the iconic toy brand.
Her dominance will continue on some of the world’s biggest stages. She headlines NBC’s Today Show Citi SummerStage in New York before making history as the first international artist ever to headline the halftime show at the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game, another milestone that reflects her rapidly expanding global appeal.
The journey to APOP has been nothing short of remarkable.
Still riding the wave of her groundbreaking debut campaign, TYLA collected her second Grammy Award earlier this year for “PUSH 2 START,” winning Best African Music Performance. During Grammy weekend, she hinted that her next chapter was already taking shape, telling Rolling Stone that the album naturally came together as she embraced the creative process.
That vision has paid off spectacularly.
Her collaboration with Swedish pop star Zara Larsson on “SHE DID IT AGAIN” became an international sensation, debuting on multiple global charts, earning TYLA another Billboard Hot 100 entry and inspiring hundreds of thousands of TikTok videos. Critics hailed the collaboration as a defining pop culture moment.
Meanwhile, the romantic anthem “IS IT LOVE” climbed to the summit of Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats chart, giving TYLA yet another chart-topping success and reinforcing her status as one of the genre’s most influential artists.
Away from the recording studio, TYLA continues to dominate the fashion world. Her appearances at the Met Gala have become headline-making events, with each look showcasing her fearless sense of style. This year’s striking Valentino ensemble once again proved why she remains one of fashion’s most closely watched stars.
From sold-out festival performances across Europe to award-winning music, global brand partnerships and an ever-growing international fanbase affectionately known as the “Tygers,” TYLA has transformed from a breakout South African artist into one of the defining entertainers of her generation.
With APOP, she isn’t simply releasing another album. She is making a statement. The world stopped to watch TYLA once before. Now, with confidence, ambition and unmistakable star power, she returns to prove that her reign has only just begun. – @NewsSA_Online
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