Tyla Says Brenda Fassie and Lebo Mathosa Inspired Her Confidence and Sound. Image: Delali Ayivi/Glamour.
(The Post News)– South Africa’s pop queen, Tyla, is living her ideal life, complete with international recognition, Grammy awards, and red carpet glitz. However, everyone has heroes, even the biggest celebrities.
Tyla’s first inspirations were two strong South African women, Brenda Fassie and Lebo Mathosa, who helped define a period and open doors for artists like her, rather than foreign celebrities.
The “Water” singer considered the voices that influenced her self-assurance and inventiveness in an open GLAMOUR Girlhood Q&A. She stated, “I had a lot of respect for Brenda Fassie and Lebo Mathosa. They resembled our pop stars.” Her remarks, which paid homage to the women who created South Africa’s music and laid the groundwork for upcoming generations of bold female musicians, were filled with pride and nostalgia.
Her feeling resonates with everyone who grew up in a South African home where “Vul’indlela” by Brenda was played during family gatherings or Lebo’s audacious, exuberant videos were shown on the television. These ladies changed the cultural landscape in addition to being entertainers.
Brenda Fassie was a natural force, lovingly referred to as the Madonna of the Townships. Her enthusiasm gave voice to the hopes and hardships of millions, her songs defied convention, and her voice could fill streets. She sings about love, heartbreak, and resiliency with unparalleled intensity, capturing the pulse of a country with chart-topping classics like “Weekend Special” and “Too Late for Mama.”
Lebo Mathosa, Boom Shaka’s golden-haired dynamo, who personified the energy of a new millennium, then arrived. One of the most prominent women in South African music, she created a daring fusion of attitude, sex appeal, and confidence with songs like “Ntozabantu” and “Au Dede.” She encouraged a new generation to embrace honesty and self-expression with her bold attire, daring dancing, and unreserved lyrics.
Tyla Draws Inspiration from Fame and Bravery
Tyla claimed that because of their fame and bravery, she was inspired by their music and grew up surrounded by it. Tyla said she was motivated to discover her own voice in the international music worldwide by their ability to command respect while being authentic.
She is now following in their footsteps with her distinctive fusion of sensuous pop, amapiano rhythms, and African flair, demonstrating that South African women can top foreign charts without sacrificing their cultural heritage. Her ascent reflects the audacity and inventiveness that Fassie and Mathosa personified many years ago.
Her choice to honor local legends stands out as a celebration of African greatness in a time when many up-and-coming musicians point to American icons like Beyoncé or Rihanna as their major inspirations. She tells the world that South Africa has a strong pop heritage and that her success is a part of a tradition created by women who sang, danced, and dreamed long before her by citing Fassie and Mathosa as her inspirations.
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