How Tyla Knew 'Water' Was 'the Song' for Her

The choreographed dance moves to Tyla's sexy single "Water" put the musician's fusion of pop and amapiano on the map. In a new interview for Rolling Stone's The Breakdown, the South African star shares how she made the viral track — and what she looks for when making music. "I'm usually driven by the beat. When someone plays me a beat, it has to grab me in order for me to even want to work on it," she says. "I love listening to beats singing random things that come to me and then listening back and choosing what fits best. After, the words just come." Tyla said she likes songs that aren't "direct" lyrically but instead prefers ones that "make you feel something." "With 'Water,' I just wanted a summer song that everybody could vibe to and have fun to," she says. "The meaning of the song is frisky: It's me letting a guy know, 'Show me what you got to offer. I'm done with all the talk.' Men will just talk and talk and talk." Tyla explains that she went into the studio knowing she wanted "a summer banger." She cut the track in Cape Town and couldn't "stop playing it after" and she was shook by the response to the song during live shows. Get the full story at: http://www.rollingstone.com/

Tyla Prank Calls Central Cee and Her Mom | Phoning It In | ELLE
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Tyla Prank Calls Central Cee and Her Mom | Phoning It In | ELLE

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How Lisa and Tyla Got the Whole World Dancing | Musicians on Musicians

Kehlani - Folded | Behind the Song
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Kehlani - Folded | Behind the Song

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Reprogram Your Mind ✨ Good Vibes & Success | Afrobeat Affirmations Music for Positive Energy

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AFRO HOUSE Rooftop Session 2026 | Deep Soulful Grooves Under the Open Sky | Golden Pulse

Tyla Speaks on Viral 'Water' Dance, Drake Following Her, and GRAMMY Nomination | Interview
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Tyla Speaks on Viral 'Water' Dance, Drake Following Her, and GRAMMY Nomination | Interview

Sängerin Elif über den Ausbruch aus ihrer super-religiösen Familie
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Sängerin Elif über den Ausbruch aus ihrer super-religiösen Familie

Tyla Rates British And South African Food | Snack Wars
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Tyla Rates British And South African Food | Snack Wars

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Relaxing Afrobeat | Gentle Slow Vibes

TYLA Reveals Her Relationship Status And...
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TYLA Reveals Her Relationship Status And...

Tyla reacts to 'Water' going viral, dance challenges & the biggest celebs in her DMs💿 | Capital XTRA
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Tyla reacts to 'Water' going viral, dance challenges & the biggest celebs in her DMs💿 | Capital XTRA

Tyla Reveals What's On Her Phone | Glamour
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Tyla Reveals What's On Her Phone | Glamour

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AFRO HOUSE Beach Session 2026 | Deep Soulful Vibes for Sun Sand and Soul | Golden Pulse

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How Billie Eilish and FINNEAS Created Oscar-Winning 'What Was I Made For' | Vanity Fair

tina knowles's interview with zendaya and her mom claire
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tina knowles's interview with zendaya and her mom claire

Tyla Picks Her Favorite South African Dishes and Slang Word | This or That
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Tyla Picks Her Favorite South African Dishes and Slang Word | This or That

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Dua Lipa & Mark Ronson - 'Dance the Night' for 'Barbie' | Behind the Song

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TrapSoul Mix (2026) R&B/Soul Playlist: Chris Brown, Ella Mai, BLXD, SZA & Summer Walker

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THIS Is What Happens Every Time Tyla Visits Jennifer Hudson!

Tyla's Humble Beginning, Challenges And Journey To Winning A Grammy at 22
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Tyla's Humble Beginning, Challenges And Journey To Winning A Grammy at 22