We sat down with the innovator and singer-songwriter to discuss her upcoming album “TYLA+”, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show, her show-stopping Met Gala look, and much more.
Read on to get all the details before she performs LIVE on October 15 at 7PM ET on Prime Video or our YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram. Busy then? Watch it after (and as many times as you’d like) on our YouTube.
Q: You have a new album coming out—can you tell us about it (inspiration, process, etc.)?
A: “I really wanted an extra-long Amapiano song on my debut album, so we did ‘SHAKE AH’. ‘BACK to YOU’ is something I’ve felt for a long time but hadn’t put into a song yet. Honestly, I feel like I added that song for me. After making ‘PUSH 2 START’, I couldn’t move on to my next project without those three tracks joining the world I created with ‘TYLA’, just to move past that feeling I’ve had. I wouldn’t really see it as a deluxe even though that’s what it’s called. It’s really TYLA+. Two fun and not too serious bopsssss and one vibe just for me.”
Q: How did you come up with the concept for the deluxe album cover?
A: “My best friend/creative director (Thegmni) and I liked looking at it as if I stood up from the previous cover and drenched myself with water. Kinda feeling like the finale of TYLA.”
Q: How do you feel about being part of the first-ever, all-women musical lineup at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show?
A: “I’m performing alongside my friend Lisa and the legend Cher!! Like what the heck??!! Just us girls! I know it’s going to be such a special night for us and a night that ‘young Tyla’ would die for, so I’m really excited!”
Q: Did you watch the VSFS growing up? What would young Tyla think about you performing at it now?
A: “Such a crazy moment because I remember my parents putting on the shows all the time when I was small! I remember watching and wanting to be a Victoria Secret Angel, but my father was not feeling it LOL. So many memorable performances by legends happened on those shows, so I’m looking forward to dressing up and being an angel for a day.”
Q: You went to the Met Gala this year for the first time and made a huge impression—how has fashion influenced you as a person and performer?
A “Getting deeper into fashion over these past few months has been so exciting! I see performance outfits, event outfits, and fashion week outfits all as my own personal Tyla editorial. I love my ripped up, sweaty, mini skirt, waist out, mismatched vibe because that’s the vibe I’m into right now, but I also like so much more. I’m excited to see what Tyla will look like a year from now.”
Q: The VSFS is all about icons; who are the icons in your life?
A: “My mom will always be my icon. Always the best dressed in a room. Confident. Strong.”
Q: What’s one thing you’d like to say to viewers tuning in to see you perform?
A: “I want my Tygers to go wildddd!!! I’m performing a new song so I can’t wait to see all the edits and videos to the songs on social media! It’s going to be so fun.”
Q: Don’t give anything away, but if you could describe what you have planned for your performance in one word, what would it be?
A: “Gonna be giving bodzyyyyy.”
Q: How do you get yourself prepared/in the zone for big performances?
A: “I pray and light my candles.”
Q: You’ve accomplished so much—what’s next (or what do you hope is next) for you?
A: “My Deluxe album ‘TYLA+’ is out now, so next will be videos and more performances! I will also be performing in Africa this Dezemba so it’s gonna be dirrttyyyy and yeah…more music!”