Tyla has addressed the “mean girl” label that has followed her since her rise to international fame, saying her outspoken personality is often misunderstood.
Speaking on The Ebro Show, the Grammy Award-winning singer said she is naturally direct and opinionated, but rejects suggestions that she is intentionally unkind. The interview comes as Tyla promotes her second studio album, APOP.
Tyla says she is blunt, not unkind
The South African star said cultural differences may be behind some of the misconceptions about her personality.
“I like to think that I’m kind. I really am opinionated and blunt. Like, where I’m from… we just talk. Things aren’t that serious.”
Tyla also admitted her management team often encourages her to be more cautious on social media, although she prefers to show fans her authentic personality.
“My managers, they always try to like shackle me. They’re like, ‘Tyla, put your phone down. Stop making videos, stop talking.’”
She added:
“And I should probably listen to them. But I don’t know. I just think it’s more interesting, you know? I still want to be a 24-year-old girl, you know?”
“I don’t want being a pop star to stop my life and make me feel like now I’m in jail and I have to let things slide and all those things.”
What does APOP* mean?
During the interview, Tyla also explained the meaning behind the title of her new album, APOP.
According to the singer, the title stands for African Pop and reflects her ambition to broaden perceptions of African artists within mainstream pop music.
“APOP, African Pop. APOP* is literally me trying to extend the idea of what an African pop star looks like and what an African pop star sounds like.”
She continued:
“I really feel like now that I’m on my second album, I’m really excited to show how just diverse I am and how I grew up around so many different influences, and I really want to show that and share that.”
“And with APOP*, it’s really just that, like, I bring the A to pop.”
Tyla says there is no blueprint for her career
In a separate interview with Ebony, Tyla said she sees her career as breaking new ground rather than following an established path.
“Coming from where I come from, I am literally cutting down these bushes as I go. I’m creating it as I go. A*POP is so important to me because there are just so many layers to pop. It’s so broad.”
Tyla continues to build on her breakthrough success
APOP is Tyla’s second studio album and features collaborations with artists including Zara Larsson.
Following the international success of her self-titled debut and Grammy-winning breakthrough, the new record showcases a wider range of musical influences while continuing to explore her vision of African pop on a global stage.
