Tyla turns up the heat with bold new album

July 24, 2026 13

Fresh from performing on one of football’s biggest stage at the FIFA Club World Cup and sharing the stage with global superstar, Shakira, during a performance of Hips Don’t Lie, South African music sensation, Tyla, has released her highly anticipated second studio album, A*POP.

The 14-track project dropped on Friday, nearly two years after her chart-topping self-titled debut album. The Grammy-winning singer described the project as an embrace of “African Pop” or A*POP.

The album blends Tyla’s signature sound with broader African influences. One of its standout moments is the reimagining of Liquideep’s 2009 hit, FairyTale, introducing the classic track to a new generation of listeners.

Staying true to her roots, the Johannesburg born artist also collaborated with fellow South African vocalists, Babalwa M and MaWhoo, on the tracks, I DON’T CARE and CRAZY OF ME, further reinforcing the local influence that has become the hallmark of her music.

The album has enjoyed a strong start, with its song visualisers collectively attracting more than 700,000 views on YouTube within hours of release. Several tracks, including SHE DID IT AGAIN, her collaboration with Swedish pop star Zara Larsson, quickly climbed Apple Music’s Top 100 South Africa chart, alongside songs such as IS IT LOVE, THAT GIRL and MR. NONCHALANT.

Speaking to Apple Music’s Ebro Darden, Tyla said the album reflects both her artistic and personal growth.

“Now that I’m on my second album, I’m excited to show how diverse I am and how I grew up around so many different influences. I really want to share that,” she said.

The singer also opened up about becoming more comfortable expressing herself creatively.

“I had to test the waters and show things little by little. I have African parents who don’t care about my age. I will always be their child. But now I feel more comfortable just showing who I am right now, unapologetically.”

While her debut introduced the world to her blend of amapiano and pop, A*POP sees Tyla push creative boundaries with a more confident, mature sound, pairing her trademark breathy vocals with themes of sensuality and renewed confidence.

The release marks another major milestone in a landmark year for the South African superstar, whose international profile continues to rise following wins at the BET Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and American Music Awards. With APOP*, Tyla appears determined to take that global momentum even further.

A✶ ✴︎ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✹POP
DROPS IN 2 DAYShttps://t.co/vutESgNrxd pic.twitter.com/gafQjNxpv0

— Tyla (@Tyllaaaaaaa) July 22, 2026

The album has sparked mixed reactions on social media since its release.

Tyla loves being South African so much. You will never separate her from her South African heritage. She will carry that flag into every room. If you heard this album without knowing who she is, you will know she is Satafrican for sureeee

— Deconstructionist 🎏🤸🏾 (@__E__LU__LA__) July 24, 2026

Tyla performing ‘THAT GIRL’ for the first time at the TODAY show in New York ! pic.twitter.com/6veJClXSBv

— niti is A*POP (@nitigrande) July 24, 2026

Who knew MaWhoo and Tyla would be such a perfect combo? This is the collaboration we didn’t know we needed. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/d2XOq38YQA

— Jackson (@jackson_rem) July 24, 2026