Tyla

When: 18th October 2026
Location: O2 Academy

Tyla is the Queen of Popiano. Coming to Glasgow’s O2 Academy on 18th October 2026.

South African singer Tyla has emerged as one of the most exciting new artists in contemporary pop, helping take amapiano – the South African dance music genre known for its deep log drum bass, hypnotic piano melodies and laid-back grooves – from local dance floors to the global stage.

Often dubbed the Queen of Popiano, Tyla has transformed viral momentum into lasting success, earning hits, major awards and a rapidly growing international fanbase. Born Tyla Laura Seethal in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tyla began writing and recording music while still at school before gaining her first South African chart success with ‘Getting Late’ in 2019.

As her profile grew, Tyla soon attracted attention beyond South Africa, before making her international breakthrough in 2023 with ‘Water’. The breezy, upbeat song became a worldwide phenomenon, climbing charts across multiple countries, inspiring one of the year’s biggest social media dance trends and introducing millions of listeners to Tyla’s distinctive fusion of South African rhythms and contemporary pop. The success of ‘Water’ made history, with Tyla becoming the youngest African artist to win a Grammy Award.

Following on from her success

Following the success of ‘Water’, Tyla continued to build on her momentum with singles including ‘Truth or Dare’, ‘Jump’, ‘ART’ and ‘Push 2 Start’. Released in 2024, her self-titled debut album showcased the versatility behind the viral success, balancing club-ready anthems with more intimate, melodic moments while highlighting her ability to move seamlessly between styles. Collaborations with artists including Tems, Gunna, Skillibeng, Wizkid, Sean Paul and Travis Scott have further demonstrated her broad appeal, while her fashion-forward image and confident artistic vision have cemented her status as a global pop culture figure.

Her story is still unfolding. Led by the singles ‘Chanel’, ‘She Did It Again ft. Zara Larsson’ and ‘Is It Love’, Tyla’s second studio album A*Pop was released at the end of July 2026, alongside news of a UK and European tour in the autumn.

While Tyla’s music has found fans around the world, she continues to celebrate the South African influences at the heart of her artistry. As she put it while accepting her 2024 MTV Video Music Award, “The global impact that ‘Water’ has had on the world just proves that African music can be pop music, too.” Her success has helped shine a spotlight on a new generation of African artists reaching global audiences while staying rooted in the sounds and culture that first inspired them.