Two young stars, Tyla from South Africa and Ayra Starr from Nigeria, are rapidly reshaping the African music scene. Their impressive achievements and soaring popularity solidify their positions as the future of African music.
At just 22 years old, Tyla has already etched her name in history. She is the youngest African artist ever to win a Grammy Award, taking home the prestigious Best African Music Performance trophy in February 2024 for her hit song “Water.” “Water” shattered records, surpassing 600 million streams on Spotify and 170 million YouTube views. It also became the first solo song by a South African musician to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart since 1 Hugh Masekela’s “Grazing in the Grass” in 1968. Tyla’s unique blend of pop and amapiano, earning her the title “queen of popiano,” has captivated audiences worldwide.
Ayra Starr, also 21, is another rising star with a bright future. Although she narrowly missed out on the Grammy this year, her nomination for Best African Music Performance is a testament to her talent. In 2023, she secured the coveted Headies Award for Best Female Artiste, beating out established Nigerian music icons Tiwa Savage and Simi. Her breakout hit “Rush” has amassed over 358 million Spotify streams and 340 million YouTube views, solidifying her place among the most listened-to artists in Africa.
Both Tyla and Ayra Starr are not just talented musicians, but also social media powerhouses. Tyla boasts a combined following of 15.4 million across major platforms, while Ayra Starr isn’t far behind with nearly 14 million followers. Their strong online presence allows them to connect with fans globally and further amplify their music.
Tyla, born Tyla Laura Seethal in Johannesburg, comes from a diverse background with Indian, Zulu, and Irish roots. Despite enrolling in a mining engineering program, her passion for music remained undeniable. “Ever since I could say the word ‘singer’, it was all I told people I wanted to be,” she said in a Metal Magazine interview. Her dedication and hard work have paid off, transforming her childhood dream into a thriving musical career.
Ayra Starr, born Oyinkansola Sarah in Benin’s Cotonou city, comes from a family steeped in creativity. Her brothers are a video director and a songwriter, and her sister is a model. It was a mathematics teacher who first encouraged Ayra to pursue music professionally. With a degree in political science under her belt, she later signed with Mavin Records, a powerhouse label founded by Nigerian music legend Don Jazzy.
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