Tyla's A-Pop Era Begins: What We Know About the Album
South African music sensation Tyla is not taking a break after her Grammy victory. Instead, she is diving straight into her next musical chapter with the announcement of her sophomore album titled "A-Pop." The confirmation came backstage at the 2026 Grammy Awards, where Tyla secured her second consecutive win in the Best African Music Performance category for her hit single "Push 2 Start." This remarkable achievement makes her the first artist ever to accomplish this feat in the category's history.
From "Water" to A-Pop: A New Musical Direction
Tyla's rapid ascent to global stardom began with her 2023 breakout single "Water," which transformed her from a promising South African act into an international phenomenon within months. The song's unique amapiano-pop fusion, combined with a viral TikTok dance challenge, propelled it onto charts worldwide and into award discussions. Her debut album, TYLA +, introduced global audiences to tracks like "Water," "Jump," and "ART" through a fast-paced rollout driven by sudden international demand and continuous public appearances.
At the 2026 Grammys, Tyla reflected on her artistic growth as she turns 24, describing herself as feeling more settled in her artistry. She characterized A-Pop as both mature and fresh—a project that represents who she is now rather than who she was during the whirlwind of her debut era.
The Unofficial Tracklist: 21 Songs Fans Are Analyzing
Following her Grammy win, Tyla shared an image of a studio whiteboard containing what appears to be a working list of song titles. While her team has not formally announced any tracklist, fans have identified approximately 20 potential songs from the image:
- I DON'T BITE
- FREAK MY DESIRE
- KRYPTONITE
- I'M NOT HER
- DOUBLE BLIND
- IS IT LOVE
- FEEL SOMETHING
- SELFISH
- WHO'S THAT GIRL
- LIGHT UP THE ROOM
- DISCO
- HOT TUBS
- SOMEWAY
- RIGHT NOW
- SET THE MOOD
- TEMPTED
- KISS
- MR. NONCHALANT
- DID IT AGAIN
- CHANEL
Her October 2025 single "Chanel" is widely believed to be the lead single for the project. On Instagram after her Grammy win, Tyla also teased an unnamed track that fans speculate could be "DID IT AGAIN," though this remains unconfirmed. Additionally, a previously previewed snippet titled "Deep Down" has generated anticipation among listeners since it surfaced online.
Why Calling This Tracklist "Confirmed" Might Be Premature
In typical recording sessions, whiteboards serve as evolving documents rather than finalized plans. Songs are frequently rearranged, titles change, and some tracks are cut entirely during the production process. Others might be renamed just hours before mastering. Declaring the circulating list as "final" overlooks how albums are typically constructed, especially when an artist is entering a new creative era.
What the whiteboard does provide is insight into potential thematic directions. Titles like "I'M NOT HER," "SELFISH," and "WHO'S THAT GIRL" suggest themes of identity, independence, and self-definition—aligning perfectly with Tyla's recent comments about stepping into a more assured version of herself. The image offers less of a finished table of contents and more of a glimpse into the creative process itself.
Release Timeline and Tour Announcement
Backstage at the Grammys, Tyla confirmed that A-Pop is scheduled for release during summer 2026, placing the window between June and August. She also announced that a tour will follow the album's release. For now, the project exists in two forms: an officially announced title and release window, and an unofficial list of songs that may or may not make the final cut. The Grammy moment marked the conclusion of one chapter for the star, with the next one already well underway.
