Tyla explains inspiration behind her new ‘A-Pop’ genre
By Katemarthason Okudo, July 24, 2026South African singer Tyla has opened up about the inspiration behind her self-described music genre, ‘A-Pop’, saying it reflects the evolution of African music and the different influences that have shaped her sound.
Speaking during an interview on Thursday, July 23, 2026, the Grammy-winning singer explained that she created the term because she felt her music could not be placed under just one category.
According to Tyla, her style combines African sounds with global influences, creating a unique identity that represents both her background and her generation.
Why she created A-Pop
The singer explained that the “A” in A-Pop stands for African pop, describing it as a fresh way of looking at modern African music.
She said that while many people expect African artists to follow a particular sound, today’s generation has been influenced by different cultures from around the world. “‘A-Pop’ is African pop. I feel like the music that I make is just so hard to put in one genre because I incorporate so many different things,” she said.
Tyla noted that growing up in the digital era exposed her to music from different parts of the world, something that naturally shaped her creativity.
Says African music is evolving
The singer believes African music is constantly changing and should not be limited to traditional expectations.
She explained that artists should feel free to experiment and express themselves without worrying about fitting into one specific category. “Growing up in my era, I was influenced not only by Africa but by the world. My generation was heavily influenced by the world, and I’ve always been interested in incorporating all of that into my artistry,” she explained.
According to Tyla, her music reflects the many experiences and influences that have shaped her life. “I’m made up of so many different things, and I feel like A-Pop is a new way to see African music. African music is evolving,” she stated.
Encourages a broader view of African artists
Tyla also challenged the idea that African musicians should sound a certain way in order to represent the continent.
She said every artist should be free to define their own sound while still embracing their roots. “People expect you to sound a certain way or to be an African artist, but what is that in this generation? It can be anything you want it to be because I bring the ‘A’ to pop no matter what I make,” she said.
A sound that continues to grow
Tyla has built a global audience by blending amapiano, Afrobeats, R&B and pop, helping introduce African-inspired sounds to listeners across the world.
Her latest remarks offer insight into how she views her music and the direction she hopes African pop will continue to take. As more African artists experiment with different sounds and genres, Tyla believes the continent’s music should be recognised for its diversity rather than being confined to one style.