Tyla ‘didn’t expect her Grammy nomination’
Tyla, a South African pop sensation, appeared on Jennifer Hudson’s television show, ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’, to discuss the global success of her Billboard Hot 100 charting hit ‘Water’.
Hudson began a sample of the conversation posted on YouTube by asking Tyla where she was when she learned of the nomination.
I was in my hotel room in New York and I literally didn’t expect it at all, she told me.
My label said, ‘Just watch the live stream; maybe you’ll get nominated. So I watched it from the beginning, and when I heard my name, I jumped up. I was screaming, it’s insane, I can’t believe it.
Hudson congratulated her on her success and asked her how it feels to be representing her country on a worldwide scale.
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Yoh, it feels so good, she exclaimed, like a real South African. I’ve always wanted to see a South African on the same platform as the greats.
So I just feel like that’s the goal and I really wanna become an example for other African artists wanting to do the same.
The 21-year-old then discussed what she sees as differences between South African and American music.
I feel like South African music is different; it’s more spiritual, I believe. It makes you want to dance, regardless of what we’re singing about. It can be a very sad song, but you’re dancing.
Tyla went on to teach Hudson how to perform her viral ‘Water’ dance challenge, which Hudson failed miserably at.
This week, ‘Water’ peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Nandi Madida came to Instagram to congratulate the singer on her monumental success, writing, “Good morning, South Africa! @Tyla Water is the first solo song by a South African musician to hit the charts since jazz legend Hugh Masekela’s Grazing in the Grass, 55 years ago!
This is a watershed moment for this talented, beautiful young Queen and South African music. Please continue to support her and South African music in general. South Africa to the World.
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