South African stars shine as Tyla puts amapiano talent on the global stage
South Africans are celebrating a major win for local music after MaWhoo and Babalwa M delivered standout performances on Tyla’s highly anticipated second studio album, APop*.
Released through FAX Records and Epic Records, the 14-track project showcases Tyla’s commitment to elevating South African talent by featuring two of amapiano’s biggest female stars on the main album.
Fans have praised the collaborations, saying they prove that South African artists continue to influence the global sound of modern pop music.
MaWhoo and Babalwa M impress listeners
MaWhoo appears on track 12, Crazy Of Me, while Babalwa M features on track 13, I Don’t Care.
Rather than being included on deluxe or regional editions, both artists earned spots on the main tracklist, a move many fans described as a significant milestone for amapiano and South African music.
Shortly after the album’s release, social media was flooded with praise for the collaborations.
One fan wrote: “MaWhoo and Babalwa M ate! Now that’s how you do African pop.”
Another added: “Our queens never disappoint. Wow, Tyla and MaWhoo, what a jam!”
A third listener said both collaborations instantly became favourites on the album, while others applauded the singers for exceeding expectations.
Fans respond to early criticism
Some supporters also responded to critics who had questioned the decision to feature MaWhoo and Babalwa M on the project before its release.
Several fans said the performances silenced doubters, with many describing Crazy Of Me and I Don’t Care as two of the strongest songs on the album.
Others praised the chemistry between Tyla and MaWhoo, calling their collaboration one of the highlights of the project.
Tyla celebrates African pop
The album also features legendary South African house group Liquideep on Fairytale, further highlighting Tyla’s effort to showcase homegrown talent alongside her international success.
Tyla has explained that APop* stands for African pop, saying she wants to redefine how African music is viewed around the world.
Instead of separating genres such as amapiano, afrobeats and R&B from mainstream pop, she believes African sounds deserve recognition as pop music in their own right.
The singer completed much of the album during a recording camp at South Africa’s Cradle of Humankind, drawing inspiration from home while creating the project.
Blending her signature popiano style with amapiano rhythms, R&B influences and smooth pop melodies, APop* has been welcomed by many fans as another landmark moment in Tyla’s career.
For South Africans, the album also represents a proud celebration of local female artists making their mark on one of the world’s biggest music stages.
