South Africa’s favorite IT girl, Tyla Seethal, brought the house down in Cape Town and Pretoria this December. I had the privilege of being mesmerized and entertained by the Uppity African herself on the 7th of December at Times Square Arena in Pretoria.
Tyla Seethal, 22, a global phenomenon from Edenvale, Johannesburg, made the world “Shake (Ah)” with her charismatic blend of R&B, pop, and amapiano. The “Jump” singer stunned audiences with her Y2K-inspired looks, catchy lyrics, and infectious beats. Tyla made waves with her viral song “Water,” which came with a TikTok dance challenge and an authentic South African flavor.
The day began with my cousin and me wishing each other a Happy Tyla Day. We exchanged excited looks, ready for the event. I’m fortunate to be in a group chat that plans to make it out for such events.
It was a warm Pretoria evening with a cool breeze carrying electric excitement across the crowd. The line to scan tickets moved swiftly. Beep beep, and we were taking the mandatory picture of our wristbands in a circle. This was the beginning of a grand night filled with amusement, delight, and many “please airdrop that to me” moments.
The show opened with a dazzling display from blossoming R&B star Filah Lah Lah. Influenced by Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, and Diana Ross, the bona fide Pretorian captivated the crowd with her smooth and sultry sound. Filah Lah Lah set the perfect tone for the evening. Inside, the air was filled with the inviting aroma of various snacks and a wide range of beverages catering to the diverse crowd.
“Tylaaa, we wanna party!” echoed across the anticipating Tygers. Special shoutout to the couples next to us for ensuring no tall people stood in front of my vertically challenged cousin and me.
The lights dimmed. A glimpse of a sultry silhouette flashed across the screen. Vivacious tiger visuals enticed the fans. A golden orange spotlight highlighted the anticipated silhouette once more. The curtain dropped. Beat.
“They ain’t never had a pretty girl from Joburg. See me now and that’s what they prefer.”. The crowd went wild. Tyla, in all her glory and grace, dressed in her iconic distressed Y2K style, took the stage.
The spectacle was supported by a group of excellent and energetic dancers. Every piece of choreography was more jaw-dropping than the last. They were accompanied on stage by Jasmine, a larger-than-life tiger with a sparkly silver chain, adding to the marvel. The South African flair was evident in the dancers’ costumes. Tyla’s authenticity and nuanced representation of our cultures and communities draw us in as South Africans.
In a final eruption of energy, Tyla closed the show with her breakout hit “Water.” The show-stopping moment was her performing the signature Bacardi dance under an illusion of rain and a confetti shower.
The morning after, we sat in our Airbnb, gathering our thoughts and sharing experiences. The obligatory post-groove debrief. When asked which song was my favorite, I couldn’t give a solid answer. I was enchanted by the soulful performance of “Butterflies,” shaken by the dynamic “Shake Ah,” and absorbed by “Breathe Me.”
Calling the experience a concert does not do it justice. It was an electrifying and exhilarating extravaganza.