An exclusive listening party for Tyla's new album, titled 'A*POP', took place in Portugal, leaving a strong impression. For the artist, who was traveling outside of South Africa for the first time, this work-related trip was particularly memorable.
Performance at Afro Nation
Sony Entertainment Africa and Tyla invited event attendees to watch Tyla's performance at the Afro Nation festival in Portugal and to be among the few who heard her second studio project, 'A*POP', before its official release. Tyla performed as the headliner on the Litowa stage, directly before Burna Boy. The audience on Praia da Rocha beach was captivated by her dance moves, highlighting Tyla's status as one of South Africa's biggest global exports.
Intimate Listening Atmosphere
The day after the performance, attendees visited an intimate home party organized by Tyla's management and Sony Music Entertainment to create an 'A*Pop' atmosphere. The event was decorated with balloons, inflatable toys, and graffiti dedicated to 'A*Pop', created by a local artist. When the manager, Collins Gale, founder of Africa Creative Agency, collected the guests' phones, it became clear that something special was about to begin.
Tyla warmly welcomed the guests to her party. During the listening session, under the Portuguese sun, she presented the album, which consists of 14 tracks. After listening to 'A*POP' in full, it became evident why she confidently claims the title of pop star. The artist explained that the name 'A*POP' reflects her firm belief that she is a pop star, which she has always desired as a girl from South Africa.
Creative Process and Roots
Despite often being told what she should be throughout her career, Tyla is now firmly standing her ground, and her music reflects this stance. The album was created globally but finalized at home in South Africa, which was very important to her. To finalize her second project, she organized a camp where all participants were brought to the cradle of humanity, using 'hadedas' sounds in the background.
The album includes several local guest artists and dance compositions. Guests replayed some tracks, shared moments of dancing with Tyla, and the arrival of her dancers, who are friends, turned the event into a full-fledged party. Tyla is proud to be from South Africa and stated that she will never want to give up her sound, regardless of fame. She noted: 'I think we always make sounds like yo and hayi. I like it. I just love self-expressing through things that are not real words.'
Musical Development and Fashion
In 'A*POP', Tyla sings more, and she is interested in fans' opinions on this change. She said: 'I use my voice a little more than on the first one.' In addition to musical success and setting records, Tyla has also become a force in the world of fashion. Her exclusive party in Portugal demonstrated a vibrant atmosphere that left a lasting impression. She has firmly established herself as a Y2K style pop fashion icon, taking risks and attracting attention with her bold looks at events such as the Met Gala, Grammy Awards, BET Awards, VMAs, and the Jacquemus show.
Tyla stated: 'I think the little inner girl in you always loves to dress up and just try new things. I think it's a good way to show music in physical form and just play a character.' She collaborated with stylist Ron Hartleby and worked with renowned stylists such as Lou Roach and Lee Trigg. She enjoys presenting herself in different versions, such as 'What would an emo Tyla look like?'
Visual Approach to Performances
Tyla's performance at Afro Nation differed from her previous appearances in Johannesburg at the Coke Studio event. From her performance at the World Cup to her show in Morocco, it is clear how much attention she pays to creating each presentation. She shares that she has always enjoyed creating such things because she is a very visual person, and ideas come spontaneously. She admits that she often gets into trouble because everything happens last minute, and the team rushes. Tyla emphasized that her imagination is constantly working, and she always has desires to realize.
The artist admits that she cannot manage alone and thanks her team, including the makeup team, dancers, and choreographers, who help bring her ideas to life. She notes that 'all our brains work together so well that we always come up with something that feels like Tyla.' Tyla is a global star, and the trip to Portugal to see her perform, listen to the album before release, and socialize proves this. The album 'A*Pop' will be released on all digital platforms on July 24, and fans expect it to be a sensation.
