Tyla has opened up about the challenges she faced after her breakout hit Water took over the world. In a recent chat with Variety, the South African star revealed that while the song was a career-defining moment, she wasn’t mentally ready for the fame that came with it.

“When ‘Water’ happened, I wasn’t ready. I became obsessed with the idea of doing things ‘right.’ I wanted more time to make mistakes to fully figure out who I am as an artist, but then things just went … well, you know,” she admitted. At just 21, the track turned her into a global sensation and earned her several major awards, including the VMAs, EMAs, AMAs, a BET Award for Best International Act, and the first-ever Grammy for Best African Song Performance.

Looking back, Tyla shared that when she signed with Epic Music in 2021 at only 19, she found herself making music that didn’t reflect her true style. “Those songs didn’t feel like me at all,” she recalled, explaining how she once cried in her hotel room because she didn’t want to record a track that didn’t align with her vision. Her team eventually convinced her to record it, but the experience deepened her passion for African music and strengthened her resolve to stay true to her creative ideas.

She credits those early struggles with shaping the artist she is today, one who proudly embraces her African roots in her sound.

Tyla recently dropped the video for Dynamite, her collaboration with Nigerian superstar Wizkid, an artist she says has been a big influence on her music journey. With her eyes firmly set on crafting authentic African-inspired hits, Tyla’s rise shows no signs of slowing down.

For more stories like this visit naijabeats.com