In a groundbreaking achievement, twenty-one-year-old South African music prodigy Tyla has etched her name in history, claiming the No. 10 spot on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 with her viral hit, “Water.” This remarkable feat not only establishes Tyla as the highest-charting African female solo artist but also marks a triumphant moment for South African music on the global stage.

Tyla’s ascent to No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 is a personal victory and a significant milestone for South African music, breaking a 55-year hiatus since the last solo song by a South African musician appeared on the chart. The late Hugh Masekela’s jazz instrumental “Grazing in the Grass” achieved this feat in 1968.

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“Water” surpasses the previous highest-charting solo song by a female African artist, the late Miriam Makeba’s “Pata Pata,” which peaked at No. 12 on the Hot 100 in 1967. Notably, Tems has charted higher through collaborations with Justin Bieber and Wizkid (“Essence”) peaking at No. 9 and with Drake (“Fountain”) reaching No. 1.

Tyla’s success extends globally, securing the No. 6 position on the Billboard Global 200 chart. With a staggering 29 million monthly Spotify listeners, Tyla claims the record for the highest number of monthly listeners for an African female artist. The impact of “Water” is evident in its sales, reaching 200,000 units in the U.K., 35,000 units in Australia, and 15,000 units in New Zealand.

“Water” has made waves internationally, reaching its pinnacle in countries like New Zealand and Suriname, while also securing top 10 positions in key nations, including the U.K., Australia, and the U.S. Tyla’s meteoric rise continues, marking an unprecedented moment for South African music on the global stage.