Grammy-winning artiste, Tyla Laura Seethal, better known as Tyla, has revealed that Nigerian R&B star Tems is one of her biggest musical influences in recent time.

In a recent interview with Billboard, the South African Afrobeats star said Tems’ achievements have significantly shaped her artistic journey.

“Tems is a big one. What she’s been able to do has been very inspiring,” she said.

Tyla also cited Britney Spears, Whitney Houston, and Aaliyah as other key influences on her music and performance style.

READ ALSO: Tyla beats Tems, Burna Boy to win iHeartRadio World Artiste of the Year

Born in Johannesburg in 2002, Tyla gained international recognition with her 2023 viral hit Water, which topped charts worldwide. The song earned her the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards, making her the first-ever winner in the category.

Her self-titled debut album, Tyla, released in 2024, blends Afrobeats, R&B, and Amapiano, showcasing her signature smooth vocals. Some of her other notable songs include Truth or Dare, On and On, and Butterflies.

However, Tyla also disclosed that her sophomore album will be released this year, teasing that it will take a different direction from her debut. “It’s going to be completely different,” she said, leaving fans eager for what magic and direction the singer hopes to take.