Tyla Launches That Girl Music Scholarship to Empower Young Women in the Music Industry
South African music star Tyla is expanding her influence beyond the charts by investing in the next generation of women pursuing careers in music. Through her newly announced That Girl Music Scholarship, the Johannesburg-born singer aims to help female students overcome financial barriers while pursuing tertiary music education. The initiative reflects her growing commitment to female empowerment and creating opportunities for young women who want to build careers in the global music industry. It also marks another important step in her development from an internationally recognised performer into an artist using her platform to support others. As Tyla continues to build her international career, the scholarship highlights her belief that success should create opportunities for more women to follow their ambitions.
The That Girl Music Scholarship takes its name from the song “That Girl”, associated with Tyla’s second studio album, A*POP. The initiative is designed to support female students enrolled in tertiary music degree programmes in selected locations connected to her touring activities. Ten students who demonstrate financial need and academic excellence will each receive a scholarship valued at $5,000. Based on the approximate conversion provided for the initiative, that amounts to around R82,500 per recipient, bringing the total value of the scholarships to approximately R825,000. The financial support is intended to help deserving students continue their education and work towards their professional goals in music.
A central feature of the programme is its focus on women who face financial challenges while pursuing higher education. Studying music at university or another tertiary institution can involve tuition fees, equipment costs, transport, accommodation and other expenses that place pressure on students and their families. Financial assistance can help reduce some of these burdens and allow students to focus more fully on their studies and creative development. By combining financial need with academic achievement as selection criteria, the scholarship aims to recognise students who have demonstrated commitment while facing economic obstacles. The initiative also draws attention to the importance of making music education more accessible to young women who want to enter a competitive industry.
The scholarship places particular emphasis on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, commonly known as HBCUs, in the United States. These institutions have played a significant role in providing higher education opportunities to Black students and supporting generations of Black professionals, artists and cultural leaders. Universities such as Howard University, Spelman College and Texas Southern University are among the institutions identified as priorities for the initiative. This focus connects the scholarship with educational communities that have made important contributions to Black culture, leadership and artistic expression. It also gives the programme a broader international dimension, linking Tyla’s South African background with opportunities for young women studying in the United States.
Tyla’s decision to establish the scholarship comes as her own career continues to attract international attention. Her breakthrough hit, “Water”, became a major global success and reached number seven on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song introduced her distinctive sound and performance style to a much wider audience, helping establish her as one of South Africa’s most prominent contemporary music exports. Its success also contributed to a historic moment for African music at the Grammy Awards, where Tyla won the award for Best African Music Performance. These achievements have strengthened her international profile and given her a platform to reach audiences across different countries and cultures.
The success of “Water” also demonstrated the growing reach of South African music within the international entertainment industry. Tyla combines contemporary pop and R&B influences with amapiano-inspired elements, creating a sound that reflects her musical background while appealing to listeners around the world. Her performances, visual identity and approach to releasing music have helped distinguish her in a crowded global market. However, international recognition can bring responsibilities that extend beyond recording songs and performing on stage. By directing some of her attention towards educational opportunities, Tyla is showing how an artist can use public visibility to support people working towards similar ambitions.
Her second studio project, A*POP, represents another stage in her artistic development. Released in July 2026, according to the information provided about the project, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard World Albums chart. Songs such as “CHANEL” and “IS IT” form part of the project and contribute to her continued exploration of contemporary pop sounds. The album’s reported chart performance adds to an already active period in her career, during which she has continued to develop her international audience. The That Girl Music Scholarship complements this musical progress by demonstrating that her ambitions extend beyond commercial success.
The relationship between Tyla’s music and the scholarship is especially meaningful because the initiative draws its name from an empowering song. Music can give young women a way to express their experiences, develop confidence and connect with audiences who share their interests. Yet pursuing a professional career in music often requires more than talent and determination. Students may need formal training in performance, composition, music production, sound engineering, business management or other specialised fields. Access to education can help them develop technical skills and gain a clearer understanding of the industry. Through the scholarship, Tyla is placing financial support behind the idea that young women deserve opportunities to build their abilities and pursue their creative goals.
Her commitment to female empowerment also reflects values she has expressed publicly. While speaking on the red carpet at the GLAMOUR Women of the Year Awards, Tyla highlighted the importance of sisterhood and supporting other women. That message aligns with the purpose of a scholarship designed to help female students advance their education. Rather than treating achievement as an individual pursuit, the initiative recognises the value of creating opportunities for others. Women entering the music industry can benefit from financial support, professional guidance, education and access to networks that help them develop their careers. By investing in students at an early stage, Tyla has the opportunity to contribute to a stronger support system for future generations of female musicians.
The importance of initiatives like this becomes clearer when considering the different career paths available within the music industry. Public attention often focuses on singers and performers, but the industry also depends on songwriters, producers, instrumentalists, engineers, composers, music executives and many other professionals. Women pursuing these roles may need specialised training and access to equipment, mentorship and industry experience. A scholarship cannot remove every barrier, but it can help eligible students meet some of the costs associated with their education. It can also send a powerful message that women belong in every part of the music business, from performing on stage to shaping the technical and commercial decisions behind a production.
Tyla’s growing profile gives the That Girl Music Scholarship the potential to raise awareness of the challenges faced by students pursuing music degrees. International stars can draw attention to educational opportunities that might otherwise receive limited public coverage. Their involvement can also encourage conversations about the importance of supporting emerging artists before they establish professional careers. The scholarship’s focus on academic achievement and financial need gives the initiative a practical purpose beyond public statements about empowerment. Its long-term impact will depend on how the programme is administered, how students are selected and whether the support helps recipients progress through their studies. Even so, the commitment to providing direct financial assistance represents a meaningful step towards helping young women pursue music professionally.
The initiative also creates a connection between Tyla’s personal achievements and the ambitions of students who may be at the beginning of their own journeys. Her rise from Johannesburg to international recognition shows how an artist from South Africa can reach audiences far beyond her home country. However, every successful career develops through a combination of talent, opportunity, persistence and support. Students who receive financial assistance may gain additional time and resources to concentrate on their education, develop their skills and prepare for employment or further creative work. Their eventual paths may differ from Tyla’s, but they share the goal of building a future in music. Supporting these ambitions helps broaden the range of people who can contribute to the industry’s future.
As Tyla continues to establish herself as a leading name in international pop music, the That Girl Music Scholarship adds a new dimension to her public legacy. Her achievements with “Water”, her Grammy recognition and the reported success of A*POP have strengthened her position in the global music industry. The scholarship builds on that visibility by directing attention towards education, financial access and the development of young female talent. Its support for ten students may be limited in scale compared with the number of people who hope to study music, but direct assistance can make a meaningful difference to those who receive it. By connecting her musical success with practical support for aspiring women, Tyla is demonstrating that influence can serve a purpose beyond the charts. The lasting value of the initiative will ultimately be measured by the opportunities it creates and the students it helps move closer to their goals.
