‘I’m taking it in 2024’: Tyla rings in new year with performance at New York’s Times Square

Maxy February 5th, 2024, 10:47 am

South African singer Tyla (Tyla Laura Seethal) ushered in 2024 with a live performance in the US for ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.

She performed in front of hundreds of thousands of people at New York’s Times Square, and more than 1 billion people were watching from around the world.

The Johannesburg-native performed alongside a list of star-studded performers, including LL Cool J, Megan Thee Stallion, and Post Malone.

Wearing an all-white snow princess plunging ensemble with a matching long coat and over-the-knee boots, the 21-year-old performed a medley of her hits, including On and On, Truth or Dare, and Water, featuring her Bacardi-inspired dance moves.

Bacardi is a style of Amapiano music influenced by Bacardi house music,

originating in Pretoria.

Eight backup dancers accompanied her while confetti showered down from the sky.

The year 2023 has been massive for Tyla, who skyrocketed to international fame with her Grammy-nominated Top 10 single, Water, which inspired a viral dance challenge that garnered millions of views on TikTok and other social media platforms.

The song fuses a mix of genres, including Amapiano, Afrobeats, and R&B.

American host, Seacrest, interviewed Tyla after the performance.

“This year literally changed my whole life,” she told him. “So 2023; I’m going to remember this year forever – and I feel like it was a warm-up for next year because I’m taking it in 2024.”

After asking Tyla how she celebrates New Year’s Eve at home, Tyla responded: “Firstly, it’s hot [in SA]. Right now, I’m freezing – so it’s very cold over here, but I mean I love the energy. You do it very big over here [in New York].”

Seacrest then handed a red scarf to put over her bare shoulders. “Congratulations on a wonderful year and continued success. It’s wonderful to have you,” he said while Tyla put her hands together in gratitude.

After the famous Times Square traditional ball drop and the official start to 2024, co-host Rita Ora asked Tyla what she thought about her first New Year’s eve in the Big Apple. “I didn’t expect it to be like this, it’s crazy – happy new year!” she responded.

In addition to her Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance, Tyla and Water was named as one of former US President Barack Obama’s favourite songs of 2023. This year, Billboard Magazine’s Heran Mamo also named Water as her top favourite African song of 2023.