Can African pop be a global standard rather than a niche?
In short: South African singer Tyla is using her second studio album, A*Pop, to dismantle the idea that African music exists outside of global pop culture. By blending amapiano and R&B with high-gloss electropop, she aims to prove that African identity is an integral layer of the modern musical landscape.
Released on July 24, 2026, A*Pop represents a deliberate shift in Tyla's artistry. Moving away from her debut, she described the creation process as 'living what [she is] singing,' a more personal approach that saw her recording in Los Angeles and Barcelona throughout 2025. While her first album established her presence, A*Pop is characterized by critics as a 'riskier' and 'grittier' effort. She intentionally moved past her 'perfectionist instincts' to allow the project to 'fall into place' organically, resulting in a collection that balances 'carefree' vibes with experimental production.
The album serves as a structural bridge between heritage and global reach. It incorporates 'popiano' on tracks like 'Feel Something' and features heavy South African influences, including Zulu and Xhosa vocals from artists MaWhoo and Babalwa M. Notably, the track 'Fairytale' samples Liquideep, which critics described as a 'meaningful conversation between generations.' Tyla’s goal is to move beyond 'chasing trends,' instead using her platform to show that African pop is not a separate category but a broad, multi-layered component of the global pop ecosystem.
Despite its critical success—earning a 79/100 on Metacritic and praise for its 'bold statement of intent'—the album’s rollout faced scrutiny. Some critics contrasted the 'enormous' promotional cycle with what they perceived as a 'restrained' and 'refined' collection of songs. Nevertheless, the commercial success was notable: 'Chanel' hit the 11th spot on the Billboard Global 200, while 'Is It Love' cemented Tyla's status as the performer holding the highest count of number ones on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.
The aesthetic of the work also triggered discussion, notably regarding the 'That Girl' music video. This clip, showcasing a city animated in the style of the 1992 movie Cool World, drew internet backlash after people suggested AI produced the visuals. This tension between high-concept artistry and technological scrutiny highlights the complexities of Tyla's mission to create a 'world around things' while navigating the modern digital landscape.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: A*Pop
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