1 Billion Streams: Tyla's Hit Song 'Water' Makes History

Singer Tyla is the first African solo artiste whose single has surpassed one billion streams on spotify. The South African singer-songwriter has achieved this milestone with her global hit "Water."

This historic moment cements Tyla’s place as one of the most influential new voices in music, solidifying the growing global impact of African artists.

This achievement places Tyla in an exclusive group of African artists who have reached the billion-stream mark on Spotify, including Wizkid, who achieved this feat through his feature on Drake's "One Dance," and Rema, whose collaboration with Selena Gomez on "Calm Down" also crossed the billion-stream threshold, and Tems who achieved this with her feature on Wait For U by Future also featuring Drake. 

Originally released on 28 July 2023, “Water” quickly gained momentum after Tyla performed it live at the Giants of Africa Festival in Kigali, Rwanda, where a viral dance challenge was born. Blending Amapiano and R&B, the track resonated with audiences worldwide, climbing the charts and earning Tyla her first Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards in February 2024.

In a statement, Phiona Okumu, head of music at the streaming platform said;

"We are incredibly proud of Tyla’s historic achievement. This milestone is a testament to her talent, hard work, and the power of music to transcend borders. Tyla’s success is an inspiration to aspiring artists across Africa and the world, and we are honoured to have played a part in her journey."

Tyla’s success is a testament to the growing influence of African music on the global stage. 

With a billion streams and counting, Tyla’s rise is only just beginning. “Water” is more than just a song—it’s a movement, inspiring a new generation of African artists to dream big and reach global audiences.

Tyla Laura Seethal (born 30 January 2002), known mononymously as Tyla, is a South African singer. Her musical style is characterised by a fusion of pop and amapiano, with many publications dubbing her "Queen of Popiano".

Born and raised in Johannesburg, Tyla signed with Epic Records in 2021 following the domestic success of her 2019 debut single, "Getting Late". She gained international recognition after the release of her 2023 single "Water", which entered the top ten in multiple countries including her native South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. "Water" was the first song by a South African soloist to enter the US Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years and was awarded the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance. The single preceded her self-titled debut album (2024), which was released to critical acclaim and moderate commercial success, entering the top 25 in multiple countries including the United States.

Tyla is the youngest African artist in history to win a Grammy Award. Her other accolades include an MTV Video Music Award, two BET Awards, three MTV Europe Music Awards and the honorary Global Force Award at the first Billboard R&B's No. 1's, among nominations for a Brit Award, an Ivor Novello Award, a Soul Train Music Award and nine South African Music Awards.