Uh-oh, uh-oh, she did it again! South African international pop star Tyla puts African pop in the history books.
South Africa (13 August 2026) – The Johannesburg-born superstar has just added another major achievement to a long list of wins, with her latest album, A*POP, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard World Albums chart.
It’s one for the history books, as Tyla is now the first African artist to have two albums reach the No. 1 spot on the chart, following her self-titled debut Tyla in 2024.
A*POP, which was released late July, is Tyla’s second studio album and sees her building on the sound that first introduced her to the world, while leaning even further into the South African influences that have become such a big part of her identity as an artist.
The 14-track album includes the already-loved singles ‘CHANEL,’ ‘SHE DID IT AGAIN’ featuring Zara Larsson and ‘IS IT LOVE,’ alongside collaborations with South African artists including Babalwa M, MaWhoo and Liquideep.
The album’s title is the perfect description of what Tyla is trying to do with it. In an interview with Apple Music, she explained that APOP* is about expanding the idea of what an African pop star can look and sound like.
“A*POP is literally me trying to extend the idea of what an African pop star looks like, what an African pop star sounds like.”
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SA's Incredible Volunteer Therapy Dogs Are the Gentlest Heroes!The No. 1 comes at the end of another huge run for Tyla. Earlier this year, she won her second Grammy Award for “Push 2 Start”, becoming the first artist to win the Best African Music Performance category twice. She has since performed alongside Shakira in New York, joined the line-up for the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony and landed a starring voice role in Toy Story 5.
Now she adds another piece of Billboard history to the list.
Her first album, Tyla, made history of its own when it debuted at No. 1 on the World Albums chart in 2024. That album also introduced the world to ‘Water’, the amapiano-infused global smash that changed everything for the young Jozi artist, earning her first Grammy and helping turn her into one of South Africa’s – and the world’s – biggest musical stars.
A*POP reflects the confidence Tyla spent the last two years building as an international icon.
“I’m strong. I’m excited. I’m at peace,” she told Apple Music when speaking about how much she has grown since her debut.
Tyla will be celebrating with her South African fans at her Gold Reef City performance this Sunday. Find out more here!
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