- 5 minutes ago
For this week's In Conversation we sat down with Tyla to discuss her roots and influences for her second album, 'A*Pop', her love of dancehall, collaborating with Zara Larsson and more
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00:00How you end the album, Hot Tubs, you say on it, you know, something to the effect of, you know,
00:06whether you like me or don't, shake your ass to my song.
00:09You said it's all elegance.
00:11Say it in a British way.
00:12Yeah, no matter how you like me or don't, shake your ass to my song.
00:25Hi, I'm Nicholas Terrell-Scott.
00:27You're here with NME's In Conversation.
00:29And we're here with Tyler today.
00:32Tyler, we are just about a week out from APOP.
00:36How do you feel in this moment?
00:40I'm very excited.
00:42The anticipation is crazy.
00:44Like, oh my gosh.
00:46And I'm kind of doing it to myself because I'm doing a countdown.
00:50You are.
00:51You've been doing it from like two weeks, right?
00:53Kind of, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:55So it's just like, girl, like, I just want it out already.
00:59And you released the track list yesterday.
01:02How has the fan reaction been since you released the track list?
01:05It's cute.
01:06I love, I love my Tigers.
01:08I love that they're excited about it.
01:11They feel like it's a scavenger hunt.
01:12You know, they're trying to read.
01:14It's kind of blurry.
01:15But it came out officially yesterday.
01:17And I'm excited.
01:19I'm really excited.
01:20I feel like I'm just curious to see what they think about it.
01:27I always love watching their reaction videos on YouTube.
01:30So I know that, like, after it's out, I'm going to be, like, binge watching the Tigers react to it.
01:36So you watch them as much as they watch you, basically.
01:38Yes, I do.
01:38I'm fans of my Tigers.
01:40Yeah.
01:40And we've seen APOP.
01:43You've kind of had this title for so long.
01:46It's been out in the universe for so long.
01:48And it kind of, it feels like it relates to, you know, pop piano in a way, I mean, your
01:53first era and what you were trying to do in that sense.
01:55And I know you said in previous interviews you felt restricted within normal pop archetypes.
02:02And so you created APOP or wanted to utilize APOP.
02:06Talk to me about when that moment mentally came into your head that you wanted to kind of rip the
02:12band-aid off and do it your own way in terms of APOP.
02:17I think I've always felt that way.
02:19Like, since I was a little girl in South Africa, I was always like, nah, there has to be a
02:23way.
02:24Like, there has to be a way because growing up in South Africa, like, you born around so many different
02:30influences.
02:32And I feel like I was just so influenced by the world that I felt like the music I wanted
02:38to make, I wanted it to be for the world, you know.
02:41And in the beginning, I started small and I got better at it and I got closer to my sound.
02:47And that's when I made my first album with Water.
02:50And I just feel like I'm just growing as an artist.
02:53I'm traveling more.
02:54I'm meeting more people.
02:55And also last year and this year, I've just spent a lot of time just going back to myself and
03:02my roots and, like, remembering what did Tyler want?
03:05What did Tyler like when she was this innocent child?
03:08Like, you know, mentally, what did she like and what did she want to do?
03:13And that's what I did with this one.
03:16And I just went deeper into my roots and my influences and just kind of played with that.
03:22The topic of conversation is when it comes to A-pop or the visuals.
03:25Everyone has something to say.
03:27You're tigers, commentators, critics.
03:31Break down the aesthetic for me because there's a lot of neon colors.
03:34You've got neon nails right now.
03:36Talk to me about the aesthetic for you and what this sophomore album represents from a visual point of view.
03:45You know what's crazy?
03:46Like, yesterday, I was like, hmm, I want to change it now.
03:51Change it?
03:52Yeah.
03:52It's out in the world right now.
03:53You released the track list with neon colors and everything.
03:55I know.
03:55And it's still there and it's still what it is.
03:57That's still A-pop.
03:58Yeah.
03:58But I'm like, I'm creating this whole thing.
04:01Like, why not?
04:03You know what I mean?
04:04Like, I'm literally creating this whole thing.
04:06And now I'm kind of like, hmm, I want to do more of this.
04:09I want to actually do more of that.
04:11You know, I feel like this album run, I just want to do what I want to do in the
04:15moment.
04:16And the tigers, you know, they're going to experience each version and just, like, have fun with me.
04:21You know, it's not that serious.
04:22I don't think it needs to be a planned thing that you stick to 24-7.
04:26Right.
04:26Because I'm also not really gimmicky.
04:29Like, I don't like forcing myself to stick to one thing just because it's an era.
04:34Like, I don't really like that.
04:36Like, I like what I like when I like it.
04:38And I want to be able to, like, do that, you know, so.
04:41So on that note, what are some other things that are in the universe?
04:44Because we've seen the neons, we've seen the bright hairs, we've seen the pink hair that people want from you
04:48this era.
04:50Talk to me about some other things that you're inspired by that you feel, that feel APOC that we haven't
04:55seen yet.
05:01Animation, just in general, I've, like I said, like, just tapped more into, like, me as a child.
05:06Like, things that I've loved and just, eh, I'm now a pop star.
05:09I'm going to do what I want to do.
05:11You know what I mean?
05:12Now I got the opportunity.
05:14So the world is, like, in my hands.
05:18And now that I'm blessed to have been given this opportunity, I want to do everything that little Tyler always
05:24wanted to do and was never able to do, you know?
05:27So I'm doing animation.
05:30I'm doing something special at home with a theme park.
05:37I have a Bratz doll.
05:39I wanted to talk about that.
05:41You did hint that a Bratz doll.
05:43So talk to me about the Bratz doll.
05:45How did that come about and how do you feel to finally have a doll out in the world?
05:50We know that you affirmed it years ago and it's finally here in 2026.
05:54Talk to me about how that moment feels for you and how it came together.
06:00Like, honestly, it's one of the most exciting things that I've ever done.
06:06You know, it's, like, up there with all the big things that I've done.
06:10Like, it's really up there because I've always wanted a doll.
06:14Like, ever since I was young, I've always wanted a doll.
06:17And I tweeted that at that time.
06:20So I think it's cool that the Tigers can go back and see, like, yo, guys, if you say you
06:24want something, you can get it.
06:25Like, it's kind of, like, that's really what I want to teach, like, my Tigers.
06:31Like, if you want something, like, you can get it.
06:34The affirmation part.
06:35Yeah, like, you can.
06:36And I wasn't even, like, my team or myself was, like, hounding down Bratz or, like, no, the opportunity came.
06:43It came naturally to you.
06:44Yeah, and, like, the way we worked was just so, so fire.
06:49And, yeah, the other day I did the shoot where I just dressed up as her.
06:53Because I was also, I used to be obsessed with the movie Life-Sized.
06:57Oh, right.
06:57With Tyra Banks.
06:59Yeah.
06:59And I was like, nah, I want to be Life-Sized Tyler Brett's doll.
07:03So I dressed up, painted by Esther, did her thing.
07:06You know her.
07:06She's killing it right now.
07:08Yeah.
07:09She did her thing.
07:10I looked like the Life-Sized doll.
07:11And I just was unboxing it.
07:13And unboxing it was insane.
07:16Insane.
07:17When did you first find, when did that email come to you guys or that call?
07:20When did you, how long have you known that you're going to have a doll?
07:28Months?
07:28A year?
07:29I'm like, a while.
07:31Like, we've been talking about it.
07:34I like to say, like, the end of last year.
07:36Okay, yeah.
07:37But, I don't know, like, it's just been, yeah, end of last year.
07:42Around Chanel.
07:43Around Chanel.
07:44Because I remember they brought us, like, demos.
07:46And they were like, do you like this?
07:47There was one with, like, long box braids.
07:50There was one, like, with this and that and that.
07:52And they were all amazing.
07:53Yes.
07:53And then, at the time, I was in Chanel mode.
07:56So I was like, since I'm making this doll right now, I want it to feel like me right now.
08:01So I got her to do the flip braids.
08:05I got her to do that bob that I was doing for so long.
08:09Yes, yes, the Chanel bob.
08:11And Sandrace, obviously.
08:12Chanel outfit, obviously.
08:15So it's coming out now.
08:16And I'm excited to just, you know, give it to the Tigers.
08:22Now, we know you released We Want to Party last summer, which, you know, obviously is it.
08:27Has made it to the album as well, to A-pop.
08:31And I remember critics talking about, you should release the album then.
08:36You know, you should have an album out now.
08:37Why is the EP coming?
08:39Talk to me about how long A-pop's actually been done and why you decided to release it this year,
08:44if it had been done earlier.
08:47I finished it this year.
08:49Okay.
08:49For sure.
08:50Yeah.
08:50But I started at the beginning of last year.
08:52Yeah.
08:53And I didn't want to, like, I don't like being like, okay, guys, now it's time to make my album
08:59and, like, lock in and do it.
09:01Like, I didn't want to do that this time.
09:04I really wanted to live through the making of it.
09:06Yes.
09:06Yeah, initially, last year was the plan.
09:09But then I felt like it was leaning towards that, where now I have to lock in, make an album
09:14and force it.
09:15And I was just like, no, like, I don't want to do that.
09:18So then I randomly hit up my team, like, yo, guys, I just want to drop a few songs and
09:22call it a mixtape.
09:23Yeah.
09:24And they went crazy because they were like, um, Tyler, no.
09:28First of all, no time.
09:29Second of all, why?
09:31But it was just something that I wanted to do because I'm just like, if I really feel like I
09:35want to do it, let me do it because I need to scratch that itch.
09:38You know what I mean?
09:40So I just wanted to drop a few songs and party.
09:44We want to party.
09:46We want to party.
09:47And not even just party, like, be outside.
09:49But more so, like, I want to just find out what happens.
09:55You know, I want to, I don't want to be afraid.
09:57You know, I don't want to be so strategic.
10:02I just want to love.
10:04Yeah.
10:04That was the whole point of it.
10:06And while that was happening and I was performing, I got to do an Asia tour.
10:10You did.
10:10Crazy.
10:11How was that?
10:12Oh, my gosh.
10:13Like, that opened my eyes to the world.
10:15And I just realized how big the world is and how, like, music just connects you.
10:19I fell in love with just culture.
10:21I feel like it helped me connect more because, like, the language barrier was crazy.
10:27So connect with, like, global audiences, you mean?
10:29Yeah, like, language barrier was crazy.
10:31We didn't have similar cultures.
10:32But I also saw a lot of similarities that we just have as people.
10:36We do.
10:37And, yeah, it was really fun.
10:40Playing with the neons and the bobs and throwing, I was throwing my bob into the audience.
10:45And they were catching it.
10:46One time a tiger found me.
10:49I don't know how.
10:51And then he showed up with the bob on.
10:54And I was just like, first of all, that's creepy.
10:57But I love it.
11:00And, yeah, it was just such a cool moment to, like, live in.
11:04For the fans, are we getting Mr. Media?
11:08Will we ever get Mr. Media?
11:09Will it be a lost file?
11:12You know, I don't know.
11:14I'll have to see how I feel.
11:16You know, like, Tinashe, how she releases stuff on SoundCloud for the fans after, like, albums and stuff are done.
11:20Will you, do you feel like you could ever release the Mr. Media?
11:24Because I know you teased it.
11:26People saw it online.
11:27The bobs, et cetera, et cetera.
11:28And it was coming at a time where you were facing quite a lot of media kind of discussion.
11:34As usual.
11:36I love that we, I love that we weren't there.
11:38I love that we weren't there.
11:39Yeah.
11:39But, um, do you feel like you could ever release it?
11:43Have you seen it done?
11:44Has it been edited?
11:45Is the video done?
11:47I mean, what I will say is that there needs to be a big enough moment.
11:52Like, if something happens, like, I feel like there's been a few things when I'm just like,
11:56There's been a few, there's been a few things, but I feel like I've become so numb to it that
12:00it feels like,
12:00Eh, another thing, eh, another thing.
12:03If there's, like, something that's like, woo, scandalous, pop star, this, that, that, then that's the time.
12:09I feel like you could have dropped it after Matt.
12:11It could have been a moment.
12:13Um, I feel like then it would be corny.
12:15Like, what the heck, like, why am I trying to profit off of that moment when it was not meant
12:19to even be a moment?
12:20Like, the heck.
12:22So, no, that was, nah, that would have been corny.
12:25But if there's, like, a scandalous pop star, like, 2000s type.
12:302000s coded type.
12:31You know, like, if that naturally happens, then maybe.
12:34Mm-hmm.
12:34Like, if it's a Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan in the car.
12:38Okay, yeah.
12:38Then maybe.
12:39Okay.
12:39Okay, I like that.
12:40I like that response.
12:41But at least we know something exists.
12:44Mm-hmm.
12:45Okay, good.
12:45We got our answer.
12:47Okay, APOP, APOP, APOP.
12:48I need to ask you this question because since Jump,
12:52I felt that you're a Dancehall girl.
12:54And on this album, this, we've got three Dancehall songs or three Dancehall coded songs.
13:00Yeah.
13:00Right?
13:01That girl starts the trend off from that.
13:03As soon as I heard that, I was like.
13:05How you feel?
13:06As a Jamaican.
13:07How you feel?
13:07I love that.
13:08You like it?
13:08As a Jamaican.
13:09I love that song.
13:10So, I want to know from you when you first heard Dancehall and how your relationship with
13:17the genre has grown since your career.
13:19You know, like, I really see Caribbeans as African.
13:26Mm-hmm.
13:26You know, like, I feel very similar to, you know, Caribbean people, like the culture, the
13:33food, like, I really feel, the dancing, like, we all love a good time.
13:37We roar, like, we just speak, we're honest.
13:40Like, I really, like, love that.
13:44And growing up in SA, like, we listened to Dancehall in Africa.
13:47Like, it's like.
13:49It's a culture.
13:50Afro beats, Dancehall, piano, like, it's us.
13:53You know what I mean?
13:54So, I grew up listening to it and I've always loved it, you know?
14:00And it's just so infectious.
14:02Like, I want to dance to it.
14:03I want to wind my hips.
14:04I want to wind my waist.
14:05Like, on TikTok, the Dancehall songs, I'm there.
14:08Or every trend, I'm there.
14:09And you're outside.
14:10Yeah, it's just very natural for me to want to go there.
14:15Mm-hmm.
14:16Yeah.
14:16And obviously, you've collaborated across your career with not only Skilly Bang, but, like,
14:20Sean Paul as well.
14:22Talk to me about who is your favorite dancehall artist or who was the first dancehall artist
14:26you can remember listening to?
14:32First dancehall artist.
14:34You know, like, artist names in general.
14:37Names in general.
14:39Like, whoa.
14:41But songs?
14:42Mm-hmm.
14:42You could do a song.
14:44Ooh.
14:45You know, the song, one song that I really love, names also, guys, the name, but it's
14:50like, it sounds like it's off-key almost.
14:52Mm-hmm.
14:53It's, um, it's like a woman singing it.
14:57Is it Spice?
14:58Sing it?
14:59No, it's Spice.
14:59Sing a song.
14:59No, I don't know the song.
15:00No, sing.
15:01It sounds like she doesn't have tune.
15:04There's so many.
15:04Oh, they don't have tune?
15:05Yeah, there's so many.
15:06There's so many.
15:07It's a cult culture.
15:08I know.
15:08I know that's the point.
15:09That's why I love it, because it's like...
15:10It's so unorthodox.
15:11Yes, it's like, oh.
15:13Yeah.
15:13And people are like, that note is off, and it's like, it doesn't matter.
15:16Oh, it doesn't.
15:17It doesn't have to matter.
15:17It does not matter.
15:18Yeah.
15:18But I need to...
15:19It's, um...
15:20I'm so in love with you, boy.
15:22Oh, classic.
15:24That's like...
15:24Oh, I do.
15:25Yeah.
15:26It does, it does, it does.
15:28I'm still in love.
15:29Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
15:30Oh, my boy.
15:30That song.
15:31Yeah.
15:32I'm so mad that that's not my song.
15:35It can't be my song, but I love that song.
15:38That song, and, um, Shaggy.
15:41Yes.
15:42Shaggy, my mother is in love with Shaggy.
15:45I feel like there was an era where everyone's...
15:47Yeah, yeah, yeah.
15:48Like, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
15:48I love Shaggy, like...
15:49I love Shaggy.
15:50Sean Paul.
15:51Sean Paul, of course, who you collaborated.
15:52How was it to collaborate with him?
15:54It was like a childhood pinch me moment.
15:59Yeah.
15:59Because Sean Paul, obsessed.
16:01And even now, like, he still feels like the 2000s.
16:05He still got it.
16:05He got it.
16:06Like, he got the swag down.
16:08He's, like, cool.
16:10He's chill.
16:11The voice, he still got it.
16:13You know what I mean?
16:13And, like, what he did on Push Who Starts, I love.
16:17Um, A-pop, dancehall.
16:20Talk to me about most of the features on your album are South African.
16:25You take it, obviously, you carry your home with you wherever you go.
16:29For your sophomore album, what made you...
16:32Because I feel like your first album has a mix of so many other artists from around the world.
16:37And then this album kind of hones in.
16:39Set for, obviously, Zara, the lovely Zara.
16:42But, um, why did you decide to hone in on Home so much on this album?
16:46And I know you recorded in Jungles and outside.
16:49I heard that interview as well.
16:50Jungles is crazy.
16:50Well, in the wild.
16:52Yeah, in the wild.
16:53Sorry.
16:53Maybe not.
16:54Yeah, in the wild.
16:55Yeah.
16:55Very tiger-coded.
16:56Yeah.
16:57No, no, Jungles is funny.
16:58Yeah.
16:58It's funny.
16:59Why did you decide to focus on Home so much for this project?
17:03Particularly on the second half.
17:05I feel like it goes home on that second half.
17:08You know, it was not intentional.
17:10Mm-hmm.
17:11Girl, I'm being honest.
17:12Like, there's no deep reason.
17:15Honestly, I finished the album in South Africa because I really wanted to.
17:19I was very specific on that.
17:21I really like, um, curating the environments I work in because it changes what you do.
17:27Yeah.
17:28It really does.
17:28So, I really pushed to do it at, um, somewhere that I could just be reminded of places that
17:35I used to go when I was younger.
17:36My parents used to take us.
17:38And that was, like, our holidays.
17:39Like, we never had, like, holidays that, like, Dubai.
17:44And, like, oh.
17:45Like, no.
17:46Yeah.
17:46Like, our holidays was with bugs, flies, like, in the trees.
17:50Like, we playing and, uh, meeting people.
17:53And I just wanted to feel like that when I was finishing it.
17:57Because, like I said, like, child.
17:59Like, as a child, what did I love?
18:01And, um, uh, I just invited them to the camp because I've worked with, you know, I've worked
18:11with Babu Alaa before.
18:12Yes.
18:13Yes.
18:13And I just wanted her to come through her, Ma'u, um, uh, Liquid Deep.
18:23That's a crazy song.
18:24That's a crazy song.
18:25But, yeah, Liquid Deep.
18:27Like, I just invited them.
18:28And we were all just making music.
18:30Like, we were just making music.
18:32Like, and I fell in love with what Babu Alaa did.
18:35And she did it on a different beat.
18:37But I was like, nah, like, I need that on this.
18:42And the way we made it was just so beautiful.
18:44And it just fit right in.
18:46Ma'u also, we made that song just by, we literally had a party in a room.
18:50And while the party's going on, we're trying to record.
18:53We're saying, everyone, shh, shh, shh, shh, stop talking, stop talking.
18:55We're trying to record parts.
18:57And, like, that memory is the reason why I wanted that song.
19:01And also her, her voice, her energy.
19:03The song just feels like a memory that I always want to have.
19:07So I wanted that on there.
19:09And, yeah, like, that's why.
19:11And with Liquid Deep, that's just a song that I grew up on.
19:15And I always wanted to redo that song, so.
19:18It's good that you got a chance to redo it as well.
19:21Do you feel satisfied with what came out as well?
19:24Mm-hmm.
19:24Yeah?
19:25I really do.
19:26I feel like it's such a wedding song.
19:28Like, guys get married to that song.
19:32Yeah.
19:32One thing you're going to do is give them camera work.
19:34Crazy, crazy, crazy.
19:35Yes, I have to break the fourth wall out.
19:36We can see the camera there.
19:38We're outside.
19:38Yeah, we can't act like it's not there.
19:40So, yes, Tigers, whoever, guys, if you have a wedding fairy tale by Tyler and Liquid Deep.
19:47This energy that you're giving to me now, it feels like a growth from Tyler, the self-titled album.
19:53And songs like Feel Something are quite, you're just, I feel like you're balancing your, you know, your sexuality, your
20:00confidence as a woman, just your audacity.
20:03Even in the lyrics, it feels like you're just more audacious across this album.
20:07So Feel Something, for example, you say, you know, put your back in it, keep your legs strong.
20:13You're instructive.
20:14It's very direct.
20:15It's very Tyler is telling me this.
20:17We have to do that, you know.
20:18And even, you know, during the We Want A Party era, I remember you on stage last year at All
20:25Point Seas.
20:25All Point Seas.
20:26All Point Seas.
20:26Oh, you came?
20:26Yeah, we came.
20:27And you were just, you were like, you need to move, guys.
20:29Like, move, move some more.
20:30Like, this is a party.
20:31We need to move.
20:32Talk to me about that confidence and the arc of it growing across this album.
20:38And do you feel like there's been a development in your songwriting as well?
20:43Yes.
20:43I think development, like, even as a person, like, I feel like my life went from this to this overnight.
20:53And even though, like, I worked, like, I always say this, but it's true, like, I worked long, but the
21:00transition was fast.
21:02Very fast.
21:03Because I never had the opportunity to do, like, small shows and grow and grow and grow and grow.
21:08It went from here to the world.
21:10Like, I was performing in a club, like, not long before I was performing in an arena.
21:16Not long before I was winning a Grammy.
21:18Not long before I was on the World Cup stage, you know what I mean?
21:21Like, it just felt, like, leaps and leaps and leaps and leaps.
21:24So, I was forced to grow.
21:27Literally, like, all those transitions were, like, moments where it was just, like, very fast.
21:34So, I had to grow, you know?
21:36And I think that also just changed my perspective on things.
21:40And it just made me want to say different things and care more about things, care less about things.
21:47And, yeah, I feel like now I'm able to, like, walk in a room and, like, know what I want.
21:53And know what I want to say and be confident in it.
21:59Someone who does show up a lot is Sammy Sosa.
22:02Like, I see he's back.
22:04And I spoke to him for, we did Days Together.
22:06So, I spoke to him when we did our last interview.
22:10And he just noted, you know, being a core part of that, you know, pop piano sound, your sound to
22:15the world.
22:16How did it feel to re-collaborate with him across this album as well?
22:20And I know Ari Penn's on the album as well.
22:23The team, like, kind of a core team that helped with the last album.
22:26How did it feel to work with them once again?
22:28I love them.
22:30Believe.
22:31Believe as well, yeah.
22:32Believe, I've known him, like, my first ever songwriting session, whatever it's called, I met Believe.
22:42And he also didn't do much before he met me.
22:45So, it felt like we both, it feels like we, like, Phineas and Billy.
22:50Like, we would literally talk all the, like, we besties.
22:53Not only that, but we also, like, sonically, we just grew so much together.
22:58And we really started it together.
23:03This idea of mixing where I'm from and just where I could go.
23:08And from there, we did Water, and then I met Sammy Soso, and I met Ari and Mocha, and we
23:17all literally besties.
23:18So, we always see each other.
23:19Like, even though we're collaborating again, I see each other.
23:21Like, whenever we're in town, we're outside.
23:23Outside.
23:24Like, we do karaoke.
23:25We have brides.
23:27We chill at the house.
23:28We go shisha.
23:29Like, shisha lounge.
23:31Like, we, like, family now.
23:33So, it's always fun, like, just getting back in and making music, because they know me so well.
23:40So, it feels very effortless, and we just flow.
23:43And then, I also met a really good friend of mine now, Bibi Borelli.
23:49She's insane.
23:50She's crazy.
23:51Yeah.
23:52As a person, and as an artist.
23:55Like, she's just so talented, so fire.
23:58Dougie, Ian Kirkpatrick, Andre, Pube.
24:01Like, Pube.
24:02I had a session with him, and when I was writing with him, I wrote right now with him.
24:08And that was when I was really, like, starting to be more open to speaking about those things.
24:14You know, just a bit more.
24:16Get more into your womanhood a little.
24:17You know, like, a little bit more.
24:20That's when it really started, and that was, like, sometime last year.
24:24But, yeah, like, P2J.
24:27I was going to say.
24:28Yeah.
24:29He feels like he's across the majority of the album.
24:33Was he in exec producer mode?
24:35Was there an exec producer this round?
24:38Were you the exec producer?
24:39Yeah.
24:40Yeah?
24:40Okay, you.
24:41Yeah, I really knew who I wanted to work with.
24:43I was, and my Eno.
24:45Yeah.
24:45Like, we both, like, we really close.
24:49So, like, I spoke to him.
24:51I'm like, okay, for this album, this is who I want to work with.
24:53I want this, I want that, I want that.
24:54So you were really, you came in like a bull, kind of knowing what was going on.
24:58I really knew.
25:00And then even Dame Dame.
25:03Oh, those girls.
25:05Shit.
25:07Lovely.
25:08Like, oh, they nasty.
25:09I can see it.
25:10You're like, yeah.
25:11They nasty.
25:11I have to get in with them more, actually.
25:14Yeah.
25:15They are.
25:15So they're coming with you for the next phase as well.
25:18Yes, for sure.
25:19I'm keeping them right here.
25:21Nah, they're my girls.
25:24Yeah, there's just so many talented people I worked with on it that I built real relationships with.
25:31So I grew from them.
25:33Yes.
25:34Really.
25:35Like, I really just went into every room, like, open and knowing that I don't know everything.
25:40The heck.
25:40I'm new.
25:41Like, this is only my second album.
25:42Yeah.
25:42I just got in.
25:43So you're not afraid to grow.
25:44You're not afraid to be the person learning in the room.
25:47No, I think that's what it is to be human.
25:52Like, you learn something every day.
25:54You're not going to know everything.
25:56You know, there's always someone that knows more than you.
25:59So I always, like, I really respect the people that I work with.
26:04And I know that I always have something to learn from them.
26:08So I think also that made me grow and just like, yeah, that.
26:16Speaking of instructive, again, I'm confident and just saying, saying what's on your mind, basically, and being human, how you
26:24end the album Hot Tubs.
26:26You say on it, you know, something to the effect of, you know, whether you like me or don't, shake
26:31your ass to my song.
26:32You said it's all elegant.
26:34Say it in a British way.
26:35Yeah, no matter how you like me or don't, shake your ass to my song.
26:39We love the British accent.
26:42And, you know, damned if I do, damned if I don't.
26:45Do you genuinely feel that way, like navigating pop stardom and your new career trajectory?
26:51Do you feel that it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation?
26:55How the chatter happens and all of that.
26:57Exactly that.
26:58Like, I learned that the hard way because I think in the beginning, when I came in, I really was
27:05very green.
27:05I was just like, whoa, I'm a pop star now.
27:08Yay.
27:09And then so many things happened that were just lies, like so many lies on my name.
27:14And I'm just like, damn, I really can't go to everyone on this earth and correct this narrative.
27:20Because I feel like there was a moment in time where you were trying to course correct and address everything,
27:26right, on socials and took it into your own hands.
27:29But I tried, but it's like a losing battle.
27:32Like, people don't, even if they understand something and even if they agree with something, like there's so many people
27:39that just are going to be like, like stubborn, like little sisters, like annoying Karens.
27:45You know what I mean?
27:46Like Karens.
27:47So it's like, I can't change the world.
27:49You know what I mean?
27:50And I can't make the world like me.
27:52Yeah.
27:53So it is a damned if you do, damned if you don't.
27:55There's a lot of narratives that aren't true, but it's kind of like, it's going to happen my whole career.
28:02So I feel like if I try correct everything, like I'm just going to be tired.
28:06And I'm already like numb to it.
28:08Like I'm not numb to it, but I'm like checked out.
28:12What helped check you out for a bit?
28:18I don't know how to explain it, but you know, when like you're in a relationship and like, let's say
28:22in the beginning, like they start complaining about this, like, oh, I don't like you did this.
28:27And then you did that and you did this.
28:28And then like, oh, I'm sorry.
28:30Like you're correct.
28:31You're correct.
28:32But then it gets to a point where like, come on now, like I am checked out.
28:36Like you get drained.
28:38Like you just get drained.
28:39Like you're just talking too much now.
28:40And like, I'm not meant to be correct 24-7.
28:47Like there are pop stars that can be and that are doing very well.
28:50I commend you.
28:52But me, I can't do that because I just hate like feeling like I have to play a game and
28:58chess and all of that.
29:00I just don't like that.
29:01I come from Africa.
29:02Like, no, that's not for me.
29:05So I think that the song with Hot Hubs, it was a time in my life where I was going
29:11through all of that and I was angry.
29:13And I was just like, if this thing, like I'm a pop star now and my dreams came true, you
29:20know what I mean?
29:20I'm living in my dream.
29:21Like, let me do that.
29:23So when I wrote it, I wrote it with Eiffel.
29:25Yes.
29:26We were in the studio.
29:27We had our wine.
29:28Like we were, ooh.
29:29Also, you were really talkative of the wine game.
29:31You know what I mean?
29:32We were like on a vibe.
29:35And I was just talking.
29:36I was like, yeah, like I'm not a saint.
29:38I don't wear a cape.
29:39I'm not no superhero.
29:42And I'm going to say things wrong sometimes.
29:44I'm going to make mistakes.
29:45And it's like, oh, well, like we move on.
29:50The earth spins.
29:52It felt like that happened with Chanel.
29:54Like just like there was a moment before and then it felt like Chanel happened and everyone was quiet.
29:58Like the hit came because there were people doubting whether, you know, it could happen again.
30:03And it did obviously in such a major way.
30:06A huge moment that happened alongside that is you and Zara's career.
30:09You know, simultaneously, it feels like, you know, label signees, friends, genuine friends.
30:15She's got stories about you for days.
30:17She keeps telling everyone.
30:18And it felt like your careers just, you know, came together.
30:22And then you collaborated on She Did It Again.
30:25How does it feel to have a collaboration with such a close friend now and confidant in the industry?
30:30And how do you feel about both of you becoming new age pop stars?
30:35You're part of that conversation now.
30:36You guys are amongst, you know, the Sabrina Carpenters or the Ariana Grandes or the Tate McRae's.
30:43You guys sit alongside them now.
30:44How does it feel to see both of your careers blossom at the same time and collaborate with her?
30:50I think it's very exciting, you know, like I know what it felt like to like have a moment where
31:00it's like, bam, you know, like, yes.
31:02So I know that she's, I know that she's feeling really good right now.
31:07And we, we, we talk so often, like late night calls, we just be yapping, like yapping.
31:13If it's not on TikTok, you're yapping to each other, I guess.
31:15Yes, literally, we just talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk.
31:17We gossip.
31:18We talk about this, that, that, and everything under the sun.
31:23And having a song with her and like a video with her and everything, it's just, it's fire.
31:30It's like working with your friend, you know, it's like a group, like a group project, like a friend project.
31:35Like, hey, yes, girl.
31:38And yeah, it's cool.
31:40And I like that she's a pop star for real, you know, like I think also I wanted her on
31:47A-pop.
31:48Like, she's like the only, like, she's like sticks out like a sore thumb.
31:52This is what I'm saying, she's the only non-South African, yeah?
31:54Yeah, it's like kind of random.
31:55But I think I like that because A-pop, like I just wanted one pop star on there.
32:01And I wanted her because she's, I think we can relate in the sense of like we're not from where,
32:10like we're not from Hollywood.
32:12You know what I mean?
32:12We come from, she's from Sweden, I'm from South Africa and she's a pop star now.
32:18And I'm from South Africa, I'm a pop star now.
32:20So that's why I really feel like that was a nice A-pop touch.
32:26Tyler, what do you want the legacy of A-pop to be?
32:29Just thinking about you've gone through the process, you've devised visuals, you're about to release the album Into the World.
32:37You've got your features, you know, you've released so many singles, you've spoken to us about what the album has
32:43on it, the track list, all of that.
32:45You're doing the listening parties.
32:46But beyond release week, what do you want the legacy of A-pop to be in both your discography, but
32:53then in the world as well?
32:57Big question.
32:58That is a huge question.
32:59I know.
33:00I'm not thinking about legacy, I'm thinking about the 24th of July.
33:05I don't know if I'm thinking about legacy right now.
33:08But even in, I guess, the naming of it, like what do you want, how do you want it to
33:12sit in the world in terms of A-pop?
33:14Like everything you've put into this album, what does it mean to, yeah.
33:18Oh, yes.
33:21Just that energy of being limitless, like limitless, like that's just it.
33:26Like I can make anything I want to make and it'll always have the A in it because of where
33:33I'm from, you know.
33:35And I just noticed that it's a thing where it's like if you're African, like you're in African categories and
33:42that's where you are, regardless of what you make.
33:44Like Thames makes R&B music, guys, like she makes obviously Afrobeat and stuff, but like she's very like diverse.
33:52She's eclectic, yeah.
33:53Yeah, she is.
33:54And she does get recognition here and there, but I feel like not only her, I think that it's hard
34:01to break out of that.
34:02And with this album, I don't know what it's going to do, I don't know what legacy, that and the
34:08other, but I knew my intention behind making it was to show that I could make anything because I can.
34:15We're all on this earth, that's my life, like we are all limitless, we're not limited to anything, like not
34:21where we're from, our accent, our language.
34:23I feel like there's going to be an editor of 20 times I said the same thing, but I think
34:29that it's like, that's really just what it is.
34:34I wanted to do exactly what I wanted to do and not what people feel like an African pop star
34:40should look like, what an African pop star should sound like.
34:45I don't understand that, like, you know, it's just, yeah, it's just Tyler, A-pop is Tyler.
34:53Tyler, thank you. This has been NMEs In Conversation.
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