Will Smith praises Tyla as Africa’s first real pop star

Will Smith praises Tyla as Africa’s first real pop star! Hollywood superstar Will Smith recently shared his thoughts on the music industry, and one artist in particular has caught his attention—South Africa’s very own Tyla.

During a live stream with Félix Lengyel, the award-winning actor spoke about his love for world music and how impressed he is by Tyla’s rapid rise to fame.

“I’ve been listening to a lot of world music. I love what is happening in Africa. I love what Tyla’s doing. We don’t even think about it that way, but she is the first real African pop star. She is a new thing the world has not really seen,” Smith said.

This high praise comes shortly after Tyla made history as the first solo African artist to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify with her hit song Water.

Tyla’s Historic Rise to Fame

Tyla’s journey to international success has been nothing short of extraordinary. In 2021, she signed with US record label Epic Records, a move that catapulted her career onto the global stage.

Since then, she has:

• Joined Chris Brown on his European tour.
• Collaborated with global stars like Travis Scott and DJ Marshmello.
• Performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, introducing her sound to millions.

Her unique blend of Afrobeat, pop, and R&B has captivated audiences worldwide, making her one of Africa’s biggest breakout stars in recent years.

Tyla on Her Meteoric Success

Despite her success, Tyla has admitted that her rapid rise to fame has been overwhelming.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE, she reflected on her unexpected global recognition:

“It feels crazy. I don’t know if I am there yet, but the international attention I am getting, I never expected it, especially so early. I was willing to work years to get to this point, and to think it happened from one song. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity.”

Tyla also highlighted the importance of African music reaching a global audience.

“I hope people around the world can enjoy the music, the African music, because I feel we don’t have a big enough international audience. We need attention because we have so much talent.”

With Water making waves globally, her dream of expanding Africa’s musical reach is already becoming a reality.

A Vision for African Pop Music

Tyla has made it clear that her ambition goes far beyond personal success—she wants to inspire the next generation of African artists.

During a recent interview on Kanal 5 Sverige, she spoke about her dream of becoming one of Africa’s biggest pop stars and setting an example for young African talent.

“I want to be the biggest pop star, and I want the biggest pop star to be from Africa. I see myself on the biggest stages, winning the Grammys, collabing with the Drakes and the Rihannas of the world.”

She added that she hopes to be the kind of role model she never had growing up:

“I remember being very young and watching these people on TV, so I would love to be that person for other young children, especially from Africa. I want to be an example that it could happen for us.”

The Future Looks Bright for Tyla

Tyla’s journey is a testament to hard work, talent, and timing. With global superstars like Will Smith recognizing her impact, she is well on her way to becoming a household name in the music industry.

Her success has already opened doors for African pop music, proving that African artists can dominate international charts while staying true to their roots.

As Tyla continues to break records, one thing is certain: she’s just getting started.

In other news – Musa Mseleku opens up about his health struggles, thanks his wives for support

Renowned reality TV star and businessman Musa Mseleku has finally addressed the speculation surrounding his health. After weeks of rumors and concern from fans, he confirmed that he suffered a minor stroke due to stress.

In October 2024, reports surfaced suggesting that Mseleku had been unwell for several weeks. The publication Isolezwe cited a source who revealed that he had been experiencing symptoms resembling a stroke and was receiving treatment in the hospital. Read More