Connect with us

Celebrity News

Tyla Sets a New Billboard Benchmark for South African Female Artists

Published

on

Tyla‘s rise on the US Billboard Hot 100 marks a measurable shift in how South African female artists register on global pop charts. With Water peaking at No. 7, she has achieved the highest chart position ever reached by a South African female solo artist on Billboard’s flagship ranking.

The achievement places her in historical conversation with Miriam Makeba, whose Pata Pata reached No. 12 in 1967. The distance between those moments, more than five decades, highlights how rare sustained US chart success has been for women from South Africa, rather than framing the two artists in competition.

Unlike earlier eras shaped by radio airplay and physical sales, Tyla’s success unfolded through contemporary metrics: streaming performance, digital purchases, and listener retention across platforms. Water converted early online traction into sustained commercial impact, remaining on the Hot 100 long enough to cross into the Top 10, a threshold few international artists reach without extensive US radio support.

Tyla – Instagram

The song’s momentum extended beyond chart placement. At the Grammy Awards, Water won Best African Music Performance, a category introduced as part of the Recording Academy’s recent effort to reflect the growing global influence of African music. The recognition placed Tyla among a small group of African artists whose work has translated from audience popularity into formal industry acknowledgement.

That trajectory was reinforced by Tyla’s debut album, which entered the Billboard 200, another first for a South African female solo act. While album and singles charts measure different forms of engagement, the alignment suggests a level of audience follow-through that is often absent from breakout hits.

Tyla – Instagram

What distinguishes Tyla’s Billboard performance is its measurable reach. South African artists have long shaped global music culture, yet quantifiable success on US pop charts has remained limited. Water provides a contemporary reference point, updating a record that had remained largely unchanged since the late 1960s.

Rather than closing a chapter, Tyla’s achievement establishes a new benchmark for what South African women can attain within the mainstream global music market. It is a development defined by chart position and sustained audience response.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

twenty two + = twenty four
Powered by MathCaptcha

Celebrity News

Mpendulo Dube Addresses Eviction, Criticism and Future Plans

Published

on

Mpendulo Dube - Instagram

When Mpendulo Dube was evicted from Big Brother Mzansi, he described the moment as significant, particularly because he had previously failed to secure enough votes to enter the house in an earlier season.

Speaking to Independent Online (IOL) after his eviction, Dube reflected on what it meant to finally make it onto the show. “It wasn’t just my dream anymore,” he said. “Other people believed I could be on the show and wanted to see it happen.” He explained that missing out previously had been disappointing, but being voted in this time made him feel accountable to the viewers who supported him.

Mpendulo Dube – Instagram

During his time in the house, Dube served as Head of House and introduced a rule requiring each housemate to wash their own dishes. The decision was initially met with resistance. In his interview with IOL, he said, “The next day, the same people who were rebellious were washing their plates,” describing the shift he observed after enforcing the rule.

He also addressed criticism circulating on social media about comments suggesting he had referred to himself as an “A-lister.” In an interview with News24, Dube denied assigning himself that label. “If I was going to say something like that, it would sound like something in my lingo,” he said, maintaining that the remark had been taken out of context.

Mpendulo Dube – Instagram

Looking ahead, Dube confirmed that he plans to return to complete his third year in digital arts. Speaking to SowetanLIVE, he made it clear that long-term plans extend beyond reality television exposure. “Being a celebrity isn’t my end goal,” he said. “I want to create, learn and motivate others to do the same.”

In the same SowetanLIVE interview, Dube also spoke about his connection with fellow housemate Kokii Beuzana and mentioned plans for a “kota date” now that he is out of the house. While he did not define what the relationship might become, he indicated that he is open to seeing how it develops outside the reality television environment.

For Dube, the eviction marked the end of his run on the show, but in his words, it has not changed his intention to build on the visibility the platform provided.

Continue Reading

Celebrity News

Nadia Nakai and Toss Spark Dating Rumours with Intimate Valentine’s Day Post

Published

on

Photo:Instagram

Nadia Nakai and Toss have sparked dating rumours after sharing intimate Valentine’s Day posts on social media. Their photo has grabbed attention and got fans asking questions.

On Valentine’s Day 2026, both artists uploaded pictures and short clips of them spending time together. In several photos, Nadia sits on Toss’s lap as both of them smile at each other.

Nadia Nakai and Toss:Instagram

Toss captioned his post referencing “1 Corinthians 13:4–8 type of love.” The Bible verse speaks about kind love. Nadia simply wrote, “Happy Valentine’s Day,” followed by heart emojis. Neither artist explained the meaning behind the posts.

Some fans celebrated what they believed was a new couple. Others questioned whether the posts were part of a music rollout or publicity move. A few called it a “soft launch” of a relationship.

Nadia Nakai and Toss:Instagram

The reaction is linked to Nadia’s relationship with the late rapper AKA. AKA died in February 2023 in Durban after a fatal shooting. She openly shared her grief in various interviews online.

Read Also : Nadia Nakai Breaks the Internet with Bold ‘No-underwear’ Denim Outfit

Some fans questioned whether Nadia had moved on. Others defended her strongly. They argued that healing is personal. They said no one can decide when someone is ready to love again.

Nadia Nakai and Toss:Instagram

The rumours gained more attention after fans noticed Toss supporting Nadia at public events. He appeared at her beauty brand activation at a shopping mall. Nadia recently launched her cosmetic line, Naked Without by Bragga Cosmetics. Videos from the event showed Toss standing close to her and engaging warmly with fans.

Media personality Nota Baloyi also weighed in on the situation. He criticised the Valentine’s Day content in strong terms on social media. He said:

“Nadia Nakai going Pedo Thusi on Toss just confirms for me that the boy has been anally penetrated… Nadia is older than me. Walter Mokoena just watches from the sidelines while his daughter witnesses her mother sexually grooming teenage streamers. That whole circle is filthy!”

Nadia Nakai and Toss:Instagram

Neither Nadia nor Toss has confirmed a romantic relationship. They have not addressed the rumours directly. Their silence keeps the conversation alive. Whether the posts reveal a real romance or simply reflect friendship, they have achieved one thing. They captured public attention.

 

Continue Reading

Celebrity News

Zoe Modiga Unveils The Vault at an Intimate Listening Session

Published

on

Photo : Source

Zoë Modiga presented a fourth studio album, The Vault, in Johannesburg. Friends and other celebrities gathered to witness the event.

Modiga arrived at the event wearing a bold, futuristic blue ensemble that embodied her creative alter ego, Rha. This look is what people could expect from The Vault.

Modiga : Instagram

With three albums already under her belt, Modiga has spent over a decade building a rich catalog rooted in jazz and soul music. Her work has invited listeners into deep emotional spaces.

Read Also : Tyla Wins Best African Music Performance at the 2026 Grammy Award

The listening session wasn’t an ordinary performance. Among those that attended were some of South Africa’s creative stars, including music producer Muzi, media personality Ama Qamata, and comedian Loyiso Gola.

Zoe Modiga : Instagram

Modiga explained the meaning behind the album title The Vault. She described the word as a symbol that has several meanings. It is where treasured ideas live, unseen until they are ready to be shared.

The album draws from over twenty years’ worth of unreleased music, spanning from 2007 to 2025, a collection Modiga loves. This means the album is a combination of several ideas she has put together.

Modiga’s work blends jazz, soul and gospel music and shows themes of freedom, love and identity. Just a glimpse into The Vault, fans are anticipating the official release of the full album.

Continue Reading

Trending