Tyla‘s debut era isn’t over just yet. The Grammy-winning amapiano/R&B-pop star has released TYLA +, a deluxe edition of her acclaimed debut album.
The South African sensation has added three new songs to the project, including “Shake Ah,” “Push 2 Start” and “Back to You.”
The deluxe opens with “Shake Ah” featuring DJ/producer Tony Duardo and singers Optimist and Maestro. The groove on the nearly six-minute track is irresistible, making it a perfect dancefloor anthem.
“Push 2 Start” explores Tyla’s flirty side as she sings, “Mmm, pushing on my buttons with no hesitation / Gas me up, give me motivation.”
On “Back to You,” the 22-year-old can’t seem to shake off... “When I close my eyes / Clear my mind / I’ll forget about the hundred times / You crossed that line / I say goodbye, but every time I always come back to you,” she sings on the R&B-tinged track.
In her September cover story with ELLE, Tyla spoke about experimenting with fusing amapiano, R&B and pop into one. “When amapiano would come on, we would see everybody’s moves just change. Seeing the energy of it...it felt so spiritual,” she said. “I always wanted to mix it with other styles that I enjoy, like R&B and pop—and make it my own.”
Tyla. (Photo Credit: Brent McKeever)
TYLA + arrives seven months after the standard edition was released on March 22 via Fax Records/Epic Records. The album features her Grammy-winning hit “Water,” which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Adult R&B Airplay chart.
Additionally, the album includes collaborations with Tems, Gunna, Skillibeng, Becky G, Kelvin Momo, and Travis Scott, who appears on the “Water (Remix).”
Speaking on her debut, Tyla told Grammy.com, “I always wanted this album to be my introduction to the world. And I feel like this is the best introduction I could have made. It’s me in music form, packaging into a 14-track project.”
She added, “TYLA was the only title that made sense for this one. I only did my best. I’m sure that the people who receive it well are the people who are meant to hear it. I’m excited to see who loves it, what they have to say, and what comes from it.”
TYLA debuted at No. 2 on the Top R&B Albums chart and No. 24 on the Billboard 200.
At the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs), Tyla is nominated for Best New Artist, Best R&B Artist, Best Afrobeats Artist, and Best African Act. The EMAs will take place Nov. 10 in Manchester, UK.
