Tyla reveals her admiration for Asake and the influences behind viral hit ‘Water’

South African artist Tyla Laura Seethal, popularly known as Tyla, recently shared the reasons behind her appreciation for Nigerian singer Asake and the creative inspirations that shaped her viral hit ‘Water.’

In an exclusive interview with RollingStone, Tyla discussed her fondness for Asake’s distinctive “choir vocals” and how they influenced her latest track. She emphasized the fusion of Amapiano, a genre from her native South Africa, with her childhood R&B influences and the vibrant sounds of Nigeria’s Afrobeats.

According to Tyla, “Amapiano music is the core of it [‘Water’] in my opinion. And just all of the influences from growing up like Rihanna and all the R&B girlies, R&B boys, pop girls. That type of influence I love bringing into my music.”

Expressing admiration for the unique vocal style in Afrobeats, particularly Asake’s use of “step vocals” resembling a choir, Tyla incorporated this element into the chorus of her song ‘Water.’ She highlighted the infectious nature of the melody, stating, “Obviously, people can’t stop singing, they can’t get it out of their minds, which I love.”

In this revelation, Tyla provides a glimpse into the cross-cultural blend that shapes her music, celebrating the diverse influences that contribute to the success of ‘Water.’