Streams of Tyla’s self-titled debut album this week surpassed 1.3-billion — with the 22-year-old Joburg-born megastar making history as the African female artist with the most streams on Spotify.
As of Wednesday, streams on the world’s most-subscribed-to music platform registered at 1.3-billion for Tyla, with a daily stream count of 2.7-million, according to musical data analysis site kworb.net.
Spotify has 615-million monthly active users, including 239-million premium subscribers, with over €13.25bn (R260bn) in annual revenue, according to June 2024 figures.
The “Popiano Princess” released her music video for the single Breathe Me, which takes place in Japan and features Tyla getting cosy with, and playfully, serenading 26-year-old rapper Geo in a karaoke booth, sparking rumours of romance.
Tyla is also a hot favourite to win in at least one of the categories for Wednesday night’s MTV Video Music Awards 2024 (VMA) at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. The evening recognises outstanding achievements in music video production.
The Grammy and BET award-winning singer is nominated for three awards — the coveted Best New Artist category, Best Afrobeats for her hit single Water, and Best R&B also for Water.
Taylor Swift, however, leads the nominations with 10, in addition to nods in new social categories for Song of Summer and VMAs Most Iconic Performance.
In an interview with Billboard magazine, Tyla expressed her love for the unique sounds of her birthplace. “The South African genre of amapiano just started bubbling, and I’m so proud that South Africa has a genre that people are enjoying and paying attention to. I’m super proud of my country and where our sound has gone.”
Water, which sparked a TikTok viral dance challenge sensation, was the first time a solo track by a South African musician has made it onto the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 music chart, since Hugh Masekela’s Grazing in the Grass 55 years ago.
While considerable buzz has been around Tyla to win at the VMAs, she faces stiff competition from heavyweights Alicia Keys, SZA, Usher, Tems, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr and Chris Brown.
The 2024 VMAs Live will be broadcast on Thursday at 2am on MTV Dstv channel 130.
Megan Thee Stallion will host; Sabrina Carpenter, GloRilla, Lenny Kravitz, Karol G, LL Cool J, Anitta and Shawn Mendes will be among the global stars performing.
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