Tyla Breaks Records with Water, Lands on Rolling Stone’s Greatest Albums List

Tyla’s Debut Album Makes Rolling Stone’s Prestigious List

South African singer Tyla has secured a place among Rolling Stone’s “250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far” with her self-titled debut album.

Released in March 2024, the album was ranked number 240 on the list, which celebrates albums released since 2001 across a variety of genres and global influences.

The publication praised Tyla for her innovative fusion of amapiano, afrobeats, hip-hop, and pop, noting her ability to blend global sounds while remaining firmly rooted in her African heritage.

“After taking the world by storm with Water, South African artist Tyla’s debut rocked the intersection of dance and Afropop,” Rolling Stone wrote, describing her as a “young star” making waves internationally.

Also Read: Watch: Video of President Cyril Ramaphosa Twerking to Tyla’s Hitsong “Water” Sets Social Media Abuzz

Breakthrough Single Water Also Earns Global Recognition

Tyla’s viral hit single Water was also recognized by Rolling Stone, earning a spot on the magazine’s “250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far” at number 135.

Released in July 2023, Water became a global phenomenon, largely thanks to the “Water Dance Challenge” on social media.

The track reached number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 and entered the top 10 in multiple countries, making Tyla the highest-charting African female solo artist in Billboard history.

Rolling Stone praised the song’s amapiano rhythm and her “breathy, iridescent voice,” calling it “the opening shot of what may well prove to be Afrobeats’ biggest global pop crossover.”

Awards and Accolades Cement Tyla’s Rising Stardom

Water has brought Tyla multiple prestigious awards, including:

Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance – the first-ever recipient in this category
Top Afrobeats Song at the Billboard Music Awards
Best Afrobeats Video at the MTV Video Music Awards

These achievements highlight Tyla’s meteoric rise in the global music scene and her growing influence as a representative of African sounds on the world stage.