South African music star, Tyla, has revealed that Tems is one of her biggest musical influences.
In a recent interview with Billboard, Tyla shared that Tems’ achievements have significantly shaped her artistic journey, calling her a ‘big inspiration’.
“Tems is a big one. What she’s been able to do has been very inspiring,” she said.
She also cites Britney Spears, Whitney Houston, and Aaliyah as key influences on her music and performance style.
Tyla’s music style is a unique blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and Amapiano, which was showcased in her self-titled debut album released in 2024.
Her notable songs include ‘Truth or Dare’, ‘On and On’ and ‘Butterflies’.
Interestingly, Tyla’s sophomore album, set to release this year, will take a different direction from her debut. She teased that it’s “going to be completely different,” leaving fans excited for what’s to come.
Born in Johannesburg in 2002, Tyla gained international recognition with her 2023 viral hit ‘Water’, which topped charts worldwide.
The song earned her the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards, making her the first-ever winner in the category.