South African singer Tyla has officially made her mark in music history.

Her hit song Water has now surpassed a staggering one billion streams on Spotify, marking a significant milestone not just for her, but for African artists on a global scale.

Tyla is the first African solo artist to ever achieve this feat, further cementing her place in the music industry.

The Rise of Tyla’s Hit Song Water

Released on July 28, 2023, Water quickly gained traction, capturing the hearts of listeners worldwide.

A key moment in the song’s success came when Tyla performed it at the Giants of Africa Festival in Kigali, Rwanda, which helped catapult the track to new heights.

Blending Amapiano and R&B, Water brought a fresh, unique sound to the global music scene.

Its viral dance challenge also contributed to its widespread popularity, becoming a social media sensation.

By February 2024, Water had earned Tyla the prestigious Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards, further solidifying the song’s global impact.

Spotify Milestone and Global Recognition

Phiona Okumu, the Head of Music at Spotify Africa, expressed immense pride in Tyla’s achievement.

“We are incredibly proud of Tyla’s historic achievement,” Okumu said.

“This milestone is a testament to her talent, hard work, and the power of music to transcend borders.

Tyla’s success is an inspiration to aspiring artists across Africa and the world, and we are honoured to have played a part in her journey.”

Key Moments in Tyla’s Journey to Success

Tyla’s rise to stardom has been marked by several key milestones, each of which has played a role in her impressive trajectory:

July 18, 2023: Tyla previewed Water at Spotify’s Greasy Tunes showcase in Johannesburg as part of RADAR Africa.
August 19, 2023: Her live performance at the Giants of Africa festival sparked a viral TikTok dance craze.
September 15, 2023: Water reached over one million daily streams on Spotify.
October 26, 2023: The song hit 100 million total streams on the platform.
February 5, 2024: Tyla won a Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance.
February 19, 2025: Water hit one billion streams, marking another major achievement in her career.

Joining an Exclusive Group of African Artists

Tyla is now among a select group of African artists who have achieved over a billion streams.

Notable names such as Wizkid, who reached the milestone through his feature on Drake’s One Dance, Rema with Calm Down featuring Selena Gomez, and Tems with Wait For U alongside Drake, have also reached this global achievement, as reported by Urban Street Culture.

Tyla’s success has been largely supported by Spotify’s RADAR Africa and EQUAL Africa programs.

These initiatives aim to spotlight and elevate emerging African talent, helping to expand their global reach and recognition.

The Global Impact of Water

Water has made waves worldwide, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and dominating the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart for an impressive 55 weeks, according to TNX Africa.

The song also topped several other charts, including World Digital Song Sales for 18 weeks, Dance/Mix Show Airplay for four weeks, and Rhythmic Airplay.

Tyla’s Ongoing Rise

Beyond Water, Tyla has continued to make waves, earning recognition at the Billboard Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.

Her remarkable journey is proof of the global appeal of African music and how it continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Tyla’s success story is just beginning, and with the world watching, her future looks brighter than ever.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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