Tyla knew she wanted to pursue music her entire life, inspired most prominently by music videos and award shows. “It was just something I’ve always said and spoke onto my life, ‘I’m going to be a singer,’ and it never really changed,” she tells PS. The industry didn’t feel that accessible to her as an African girl – until her single “Water” went viral and skyrocketed her to the global stage.
In 2024, she released her first album, went on tour, attended the Met Gala, won plenty of awards (including a Grammy for best African music performance), and performed at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. “When it all started happening, I was just so excited. It’s something that felt like it couldn’t really happen, but I hoped that it would and I believed that it would. It was like a moment of, ‘Wow, it actually is possible.’ It’s just been such a surreal thing to be experiencing.”
Although Tyla is living her dreams, the 22-year-old artist acknowledges it’s hard to navigate her new world. “I’m growing up in front of the whole world. I’m making mistakes. Because I blew up so fast, I’m also developing as an artist in front of the world. It’s kind of weird but also really exciting,” she says. To keep herself grounded, Tyla spends her free time video-calling her family and friends and exploring the cities she travels to for work. She’s also a huge proponent of building forts. “I made a little cozy section for me with blankets hanging everywhere, and I just go there and pray or make songs. I leave my phone out of the room, and I’m just there with candles, an iced chai latte, and snacks.”
Beyond her music, Tyla has made a splash on the fashion scene with her eclectic style. “I think my fashion sense is very imperfect, very ripped up, fresh, indie, vibrant, mismatched. It doesn’t really go together, but it also does,” she says. She also loves sporting heavy blush and a sun-kissed tan.
Ahead, Tyla shares more of what she’s currently into, including her favorite perfume and her go-to headphones. Keep reading to shop Tyla’s must-have products.
