South African singer Tyla scores global hit with 'Water'

South African singer Tyla's latest hit single, 'Water', is getting major airplay around the world. 

The 21-year-old released the song in July and it has already gone viral on social media. 

Scores of people across the globe are taking part in the 'Water Dance Challenge', which has helped the track reach new heights on international charts. 

The song earned Tyla her first-ever Top 40 single on the official UK Singles Charts. It's currently at number 24 on the chart. 

'Water' is also charting in Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden. It made it to #2 on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart. 

"Make me sweat/make me hotter / make me lose my breath / make me water," Tyla sings on the track. 

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The song has also made Tyla the most streamed South African musician on Spotify, beating the likes of Master KG, DJ Black Coffee, DJ Maphorisa, and Kabza De Small. 

ALSO READ: Drake hires Kabza De Small to co-produce tour

According to Chart Data SA, Tyla "has now reached a new all-time peak of 4.55-million monthly listeners on Spotify".  

'Water' has been streamed 23-million times on Spotify as of Wednesday, September 27.  

Dubbed the Ariana Grande of Africa, Tyla is known for her Amapiano meets Afropop sound. Her unique sound has earned her fans from all walks of life. 

ALSO READ: 2023 VMAs: Taylor Swift makes history, Rema does Africa proud

Several stars have shared videos of themselves doing the 'Water Dance Challenge', including Pearl Thusi and Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock, who says Tyla is "killing it".

Diplo is also a huge Tyla fan. He called her the "baddest in the game" right now. 

Cassper Nyovest, Naomi Campbell, and Chris Brown have also shown Tyla some love on social media. 

ALSO READ: Chris Brown thanks SA singer Tyla for an "amazing tour"

Former 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Porsha Williams Guobadia admitted she tried (and failed) to master Tyla's signature dance moves.

"Literally me... I just walked on by the mirror and continued my day. Didn’t [even] bother setting up [the] camera," she commented on a video of one Instagram user trying to do the challenge. 

ALSO READ: SA musician Tyla turns heads in Milan alongside Kim Kardashian

American record producer and songwriter Christopher Alan 'Tricky' Stewart co-wrote and produced 'Water'. He has worked with stars such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, and Britney Spears. 

Tyla told The Yanos it is "crazy" to think that she got to work with Tricky. 

"When I heard that I was going to work with him, I was like, ‘You guys are lying. You guys are literally lying.’ But then we met, and he’s such a good person. Such a nice person... I just love working with him because you can see his passion for music. So, yeah, just the fact that he worked with Rihanna, with Beyoncé, all these different artists. I was just so grateful to even be there," she said. 

Listen to 'Water' on Spotify here. 

ALSO READ: Tyla collaborates with Ayra Starr on 'Girl Next Door'

Main image credit: Instagram/@tyla

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