Gap, the renowned American fashion brand, introduces its Spring 2024 campaign, spotlighting linen as the canvas for individual style expression. Embracing fashion, music, and dance, the campaign features GRAMMY® Award–winning artist Tyla and showcases Gap’s Linen Collection with seamless motion and effortless movement.
Set to the worldwide hit “Back On 74” by the BRIT Award–nominated Jungle, the campaign’s original choreography by Shay Latukolan is directed by Jungle’s J Lloyd and Charlie Di Placido. Inspired by the track’s TikTok phenomenon, the campaign celebrates creativity and authenticity.
Tyla, the South African sensation, brings her Billboard Hot 100 hit “Water” to Gap’s campaign, aligning her unique style with Gap’s dedication to originality. Jungle, founded by childhood friends J Lloyd and Tom McFarland, adds their genre-blurring mix to the campaign.
“It’s an absolute honor to be in a Gap campaign – so many iconic artists have worked with Gap and I now get to be one of them,” said Tyla. “I’m excited for my fans to see me do a new type of dance where I’m styled in comfortable clothes with my own personal touches. It was really fun – a true celebration of music, fashion and dance.”
“Working with talent who embody the spirit of originality is not just a choice, but a commitment to our brand’s heritage,” said Mark Breitbard, Gap’s President and CEO. “This campaign pays homage to Gap’s iconic musical ads of the past while embracing the diverse voices and talents that shape our present and future. We continue to draw inspiration from artists who authentically express themselves, using Gap style to reflect their unique personalities.”
The Linen Collection offers iconic silhouettes in versatile linen fabrications, allowing for free-flowing movement and effortless style. Gap’s Spring 2024 campaign launches today across digital media, out-of-home, video, social, and brand channels, inspiring individuals to express their originality. Stay tuned for more updates and a Gap x Jungle x Tyla in-store playlist on Spotify.
Tyla is taking over. We are less than a month out from her hotly-anticipated self-titled album, which features hits like “Water” and “Truth Or Dare.” Ahead of the album, Tyla has partnered with Gap for a special new commercial.
In the commercial, the South African superstar dances to “Back On 74” by Jungle. She makes her way across the dancefloor, joining a group of dancers. Tyla and the dancers are seen wearing collections from Gap’s new linens collection, with the campaign appropriately titled ‘Linen Moves.’
Tyla spoke about the campaign to Complex, and during the conservation, she said her latest collaboration felt very natural to her.
“The commercials have always been very iconic and fun, not cheesy,” Tyla said. “It’s something that I connected with even before the offer. So it kind of felt like it was meant for me to do.”
She also shared that fashion, to her, comes just as naturally as music.
“I’ve always just loved clothing and playing around with that, trying new things,” she said. “I feel like now I’m also in a phase where I’m exploring more, which is exciting. So, yeah, I’m definitely a fashion girl.”
You can see the new Gap campaign above.
Tyla is out 3/22 via FAX and Epic Records. Find more information here.
The Roots will be bringing their annual Roots Picnic festival back to Philadelphia on June 1 and 2 for the perfect start to the summer. Lil Wayne, The Roots, and Jill Scott will be headlining this year, along with Sexyy Red, Victoria Monét, Tyla, Gunna, Nas, Babyface, Robert Glasper featuring Yebba, and more.
Considering the festival is only two days, they are offering a number of ticket options to fans. Here’s what to know about what to budget for the event.
How Much Are Tickets For Roots Picnic 2024?
The standard 2-day General Admission pass is $200 — and every single ticket option is an all-in price, which means no hidden fees. The GA+ ticket is $250, providing access to a lounge with air-conditioned restrooms.
If you’re looking for something a bit more exclusive, the silver VIP pass is $899. Finally, the highest pass is the gold VIP ticket at $1,299, which includes daily drink tickets and food vouchers.
Tickets for Roots Picnic 2024 go on sale to the general public this Friday, February 23 at 10 a.m. ET. Also, if you’ve attended the festival before, this appears to give you access to an alumni presale, which will take place tomorrow, February 20 at the same time.
More information can be found on the Roots Picnic website.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Philadelphia’s Roots Picnic will return this June 1 and 2 for an incredibly-stacked festival. This year’s headliners include Lil Wayne and the festival’s namesake band, The Roots. Other acts include Sexyy Red, Victoria Monét, Jill Scott, Gunna, Tyla, Nas, Babyface, Robert Glasper featuring Yebba, Smino, and many many more. View the full lineup here.
There will also be several podcast appearances on the Experience Stage, for those who are looking to catch something at the festival outside of music.
Here’s what to know if you’re looking to attend this summer.
How To Buy Tickets For Roots Picnic 2024
The Roots Picnic 2024 alumni presale will open tomorrow, February 20 at 10 a.m. ET, providing the first chance to get access to tickets this year. From there, a general sale will open to the public on Friday, February 23 at the same time.
Right now, the 2-day General Admission pass is $200, with no hidden fees. The GA+ tier is $250, and includes access to the GA+ Lounge with air-conditioned bathrooms and a private cash bar.
Additionally, there are two options for VIP tickets. The silver tier VIP ticket is $899, providing access to a special lounge, on-site concierge, pit access at the stages, and more. The gold tier VIP ticket is $1,299. This includes shaded elevated viewing at the main stage, four drink tickets per day, two meal vouchers per day, a commemorative gift, and more.
More information can be found on the Roots Picnic website.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
It looks like the “Water Challenge” on social media hasn’t run dry just yet. According to Tyla, the remix of her breakout single “Water” featuring Travis Scott will receive a music video. While sitting for a Complex segment, “What’s In Your Phone?” the South African star confirmed that the video is done (after making sure it was okay for her to share that information with her team), which means the wait is officially on.
The news of the remix video follows the announcement of her self-titled debut album, which is due on March 1 via Fax and Epic Records. Earlier this month, Tyla released the video for “Truth Or Dare,” the album’s second single, and attended her first-ever Grammy Awards ceremony as she was nominated for — and won — Best African Music Performance for “Water.”
“Water” was not only Tyla’s first top-ten-charting hit in the US, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it was also the first song by a South African solo artist to enter the Hot 100 in 55 years following Hugh Masekela’s “Grazing in the Grass” in 1968. Tyla is also the youngest South African artist with that distinction, as Maskela was 29 in 1968.
As for when the “Water” remix video officially drops, there’s no word yet — but the odds are high it’ll be sometime before the release of Tyla to ensure maximum interest in Tyla’s debut album.
Yes, the Grammys just happened this past weekend, but it’s never too early to be thinking ahead. On Sunday (Feb. 4) night, Victoria Monét took home the gold for Best New Artist, keeping the trend of solo female artists wins in this category going for a seventh year straight (following Samara Joy, Olivia Rodrigo, Megan Thee Stallion, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Alessia Cara respectively). But who could be in line for next year’s award?
The criteria for Best New Artist eligibility is a bit vague: while two of the requirements are pretty cut and dry (artists must have released a minimum of five tracks and they can only be entered into this category a maximum of three times), the third condition leaves some gray area: the artist “must have achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and impacted the musical landscape during the eligibility period.”
This guardrail was implemented after Meghan Trainor took home the award in 2016 despite seeing her debut single “All About The Bass” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 two years prior, but it makes things murky for artists like Reneé Rapp, Teddy Swims, and Tyla, who had all enjoyed a bit of acclaim prior to the beginning of the eligibility window (Sept. 16, 2023).
We’d place our money on some (if not all) of the aforementioned artists getting in if they are eligible, but we’ve set our sights on ten other promising acts we think could be among next year’s nominees. From a London-born country chanteuse to K-pop’s hottest new boy band, take a look into our crystal ball as we make early bets on the 2025 Grammys Best New Artist nominees.
Chappell Roan
For fans of: Katy Perry, MARINA
Every few months, there seems to be a new pop star wannabe being billed as the “next big thing,” but they almost always fall flat due to the lack of a crucial ingredient: originality. While we navigate a sea of carbon copies all trying to out-vibe each other, Chappell Roan has approached the industry with a secret weapon: a refusal to take herself too seriously. It’s that fearless originality that truly sets her apart and given the fact that female artists have dominated this category, she’s a solid contender for the trophy.
Listen to: “Red Wine Supernova,” “Casual”
Infinity Song
For fans of: The Mamas and the Papas, Lana Del Rey
The story behind Infinity Song’s big break is as wholesome as their music: director Jeymes Samuel (The Book Of Clarence) saw a clip of the family band busking in Central Park and sent it to his mogul buddy Jay Z. The rapper brought them in for an audition and signed them to RocNation, and for good reason: between their breezy arrangements and lush harmonies, they make records that sound right at home between cuts from The Byrds, Joni Mitchell, Buffalo Springfield and other Laurel Canyon legends.
Listen to: “Metamorphosis,” “Slow Burn”
Xavi
For fans of: Peso Pluma, Fuerza Regida
Regional Mexican music is an undeniable force in the industry: the Billboard 2023 Year-End Top Artists Duo/Groups chart’s top two slots were occupied by Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera, outperforming other top ten acts like Fleetwood Mac, Imagine Dragons, and NewJeans. If the Grammys have their finger on the pulse, they’ll take note of Phoenix-born 19-year-old singer-songwriter Xavi, who rang in the new year by crowning Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart with his track “La Diabla.”
Listen to: “La Diabla,” “La Víctima”
RIIZE
For fans of: Boynextdoor, BTS
It’s perplexing that despite K-pop’s chokehold on pop culture, the genre hasn’t seen a single act nominated in the Best New Artist category. In fact, K-pop groups were completely shut out of every category for the 2024 Grammys. Surely the Academy will soon catch up with the rest of the world, and our eyes are on RIIZE as the ones to watch. Not only did the band send a strong message that they’re staking a claim for the U.S. market by releasing an English version of their debut track, but they’ve got SM Entertainment (the geniuses who broke acts like NCT, Red Velvet, and aespa) at the helm. Expect big things.
Listen to: “Get a Guitar,” “Love 119”
Flyana Boss
For fans of: Missy Elliott, Doja Cat
It’s been a long time coming, but female emcees are finally dominating pop culture. While new acts seem to pop up daily, the Los Angeles-based duo Flyana Boss (a play on Diana Ross’ name) set themselves apart with their comedic lyricism and high-energy TikToks. The pair of weirdos may be considered too irreverent for the notoriously stuffy Grammys voters, but that’s part of their charm. Shouldn’t music be fun?!
Listen to: “You Wish,” “UFHO”
Lola Kirke
For fans of: Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves
Despite being in London and raised in New York City, Lola Kirke was always drawn to the gritty glamor of country music. Still, it seems Nashville has caught on: her forthcoming EP Country Curious (out Feb. 16) features folk duo First Aid Kid and Rosanne Cash, and is produced by Elle King.
Listen to: “My House,” “He Says Y’all”
Sudan Archives
For fans of: Janelle Monáe, Kelela
Today’s elite pop stars could take note from the genre-bending, violin-wielding Sudan Archives. Not only did she record her latest album, the critically-acclaimed Natural Brown Prom Queen, in her basement, but she commands the stage with hypnotic, cat-like swagger reminiscent of Gwen Stefani during the early No Doubt days. She’s been teasing new music on social media, and if MTV were smart, they’d book her for a showstopping VMAs performance. (Yes, we’re mixing awards shows, but the point stands!)
Listen to: “Selfish Soul,” “NBPQ (Topless)”
Jhariah
For fans of: Panic! At the Disco, Poppy
Brooklyn-based artist Jhariah can’t be boxed into one genre: while there’s a heavy theatrical lean from emo bands of the early ’00s, influences from artists like System of a Down to Animé to 100 gecs can be heard while skipping through their catalog. The 23-year-old’s upcoming album has been five years in the making, and if the teaser tracks are any indication, it’s going to be massive.
Listen to: “Pin-Eye,” “Risk! Risk! Risk!”
Stephen Sanchez
For fans of: Frankie Avalon, FINNEAS
Let’s be real: no one is more likely for a Best New Artist nomination than Stephen Sanchez. The Nashville-based singer-songwriter made waves last year with his modest hit “Until I Found You,” which he performed alongside Sir Elton John during the icon’s farewell set at Glastonbury. Not only that, but his late-’50s nostalgia vibe is grade-A Grammys catnip.
Listen to: “Until I Found You,” “High”
Emmy Meli
For fans of: Lizzo, Amy Winehouse
The singer-songwriter had a viral moment on TikTok with 2022’s feminist anthem “I Am Woman,” but instead of haphazardly releasing follow-ups to capitalize on her moment, Meli spent the past year developing her craft — a lesson many quick-to-fame sensations should take note of. The result: her forthcoming debut EP (out this spring) is a cohesive jazz-tinged oeuvre, showcasing her intricate, smoky vocals over a horn-forward production that sounds straight out of the ’60s.
Listen to: “I Am Woman,” “Matrix”
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Each decade has its Black female pop music mainstay. In the 1970s, Donna Summer relished in international stardom with a husky voice and seductive image. Late powerhouse Whitney Houston took over the 1980s, possessing smoky and robust melodics that placed both her debut and sophomore albums atop the Billboard 200 upon release. Mariah Carey rightfully earned her ‘Songbird Supreme’ title in the 1990s for balladry and honeyed anthems that coated her five-octave range.
The aforementioned women – and tons more, including Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, and Rihanna – are Grammy-winning pop icons whose hits have defined generations. But as the musical landscape continues to appease the tastes of introspective-yet-lively Gen-Z listeners, standards for the quintessential Black female pop star have changed, and it’s reflected in the 2024 Grammy Awards nominations.
Three top contenders in this year’s ‘Big Four’ categories were once underdogs who had their eyes set on proving the mainstream wrong: SZA, Victoria Monét, and Coco Jones. Whilst SZA has one Grammy under her belt, split with Doja Cat for their 2021 collaboration “Kiss Me More,” Monét and Jones are meeting their breakthrough with seven and five respective introductory Grammy nominations. (Monét has previously been nominated as a writer, but not as the featured artist.)
The women were previously underappreciated as solo acts; SZA didn’t win a single trophy out of her five nominations for Ctrl, Monét was snubbed for her 2020 EP, Jaguar, and Jones was dropped from her first record deal as a teen. But where the emergence of the three is distinct, they all share a commonality: delivering vulnerability and rawness in their material rather than solely relying on a polished image and expert choreography.
Nabbing the most nominations (nine) at this year’s Grammys is SZA, who rose to the occasion in 2023 despite taking a five-year hiatus following her landmark 2017 debut Ctrl. Non-single standouts from SZA’s latest album are dominant in the categories of Best Traditional R&B Performance (“Love Language”), Best Melodic Rap Performance (“Low”), and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (“Ghost In The Machine”), and in December, 16-time Grammy-winner Adele told THR that she believes SZA “will win all of them.” It’s fair to say that SOS is the singer-songwriter’s current magnum opus, as it succeeded Whitney Houston’s eponymous 1987 album in spending its first seven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It later sat ten non-consecutive weeks atop the chart, one of several historic feats that the LP would achieve in 2023. The “Snooze” vocalist also launched a massive headlining tour, her first arena outing since Top Dawg Entertainment’s ‘The Championship Tour’ in 2018.
Embarking on their first concert series last fall was Monét, who established herself as a household name during the Jaguar II rollout. Passing the torch to the Sacramento-raised artist on the album were past Grammy winners Lucky Daye (“Smoke”), Buju Banton (“Party Girls”), Kaytranada (“Alright”), and Earth, Wind And Fire (“Hollywood”). The latter even gave Monét’s 2-year-old daughter, Hazel, the recognition of becoming the youngest Grammy nominee in history for her bubbly cooing and laughter towards the song’s end. But it was Monét’s groundbreaking track “On My Mama” that gave the singer her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist, also becoming anthemic for unapologetic mamas and HBCU marching bands. 2023 signaled Monét getting long overdue flowers from nearly every aspect of the music industry, including MTV – who was previously unaware of her greatness – to veteran R&B acts. Since 9-time Grammy-winner Mary J. Blige danced alongside her sister to “On My Mama” in a nightclub, Monét could be a headlining performer for the third installment of Blige’s Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit.
Scoring big in 2022 and 2023 was Jones, who received watershed praise for her affectionate single “ICU” and its accompanying EP What I Didn’t Tell You. The project showed maturation in the Bel-Air star, whose origins stemmed from being a former Disney Channel notable. Although Jones initially shied away from ballads, the tracks on WIDTY were appropriate fits for the passionate and husky-voiced chanteuse. Despite Jones originally being hesitant about recording slower-paced music, her growth was acknowledged at last year’s BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and Soul Train Awards, where she won in all three Best New Artist categories, albeit over ten years apart from her self-titled EP.
However, the Grammys could surprise us by giving a long-delayed gramophone to Janelle Monáe, who stripped down and soaked up good vibes on their fourth album, The Age Of Pleasure. To date, the Kansas City-born visionary — who doesn’t solely identify as a woman and has come out as non-binary — has lost all eight of their previous Grammy nominations, including Album Of The Year for the radical third LP, Dirty Computer. Regardless of stepping away from a concept album run on TAOP, Monáe has proven their star power for nearly 15 years, also giving us an occasional show-stopping film performance.
African artists Ayra Starr and Tyla are primed to be the leaders of tomorrow’s pop music class, due to both being nominated in the new Grammy category Best African Music Performance. Whereas many in the U.S. are newly discovering Starr – who’s been a pillar in Afropop since 2021 – Tyla’s amapiano smash “Water” was unavoidable across block parties and TikTok last summer. The latter has frequently affirmed wanting to introduce her South African roots to the world as a pop artist, and since crossing over from local notoriety to reaching global stages, she’s on the right track.
We’d be remiss not to mention the projects from the unsung women in pop and R&B that either went unsubmitted or slept on by the Recording Academy. Kelela bared her soul and gave us ripened singing on her first album in over five years, Raven. Tinashe kept pushing the boundaries of experimental pop on her sixth overall album, BB/Ang3l. Amaarae’s diverse sophomore LP Fountain Baby was refreshing in a time when modern pop can sometimes be monotonous and gimmicky. More names that deserve a shot in the Grammys spotlight: Ama Lou, Jorja Smith, Liv.e, Chlöe, and Arlo Parks. As the public readies themselves for a post-Beyoncé and post-Rihanna pop climate – although both are undisputed in their own right – the next female Black pop star standard could be anyone’s to gain because these women have already made their mark.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Grammy-nominated and emerging global Amapiano Pop/R&B artist Tyla has unveiled her latest music video, “Truth Or Dare,” directed by the renowned NABIL. The visual spectacle features Tyla in a starring role, showcasing her artistic prowess and elevating the vibrant essence of the standout single.
“Truth Or Dare” has rapidly gained traction, amassing over 136 million views on TikTok, further solidifying Tyla’s presence as a rising star in the music industry. The music video, a testament to NABIL’s visionary direction and Tyla’s undeniable charisma, promises to captivate audiences and enhance the global appeal of the infectious Amapiano track.
As Tyla continues to make waves and secure a Grammy nomination, “Truth Or Dare” is set to propel her further into the spotlight, establishing her as a force to be reckoned with in contemporary Pop and R&B music.
We are just a month out from Tyla‘s self-titled debut album. Over the past few months, the Afrofusion superstar has gone viral with her globally-inspired songs, and her incredible choreography. One of her newest singles, “Truth Or Dare,” has become an instant fan favorite. Tonight (February 2), Tyla has finally shared the much-anticipated “Truth Or Dare” video.
In the “Truth Or Dare” video, Tyla meets up with a troublesome ex, with whom, she embarks on a disastrous car trip. Unbothered, Tyla can be seen riding with her hair flowing free out of the window. But by the end of the video — and without spoiling it — we see Tyla gets her revenge.
As Tyla’s debut album is near, she is gearing up for a world takeover. In an interview with Complex, Tyla expressed her dreams to become a household name within music.
“I come from a very small place, a little city in South Africa all the way at the bottom of Africa, the tip,” she said. “And literally, I was just a girl with a dream, a girl that didn’t really have much examples… like this wasn’t really possible at that age when I was coming up as an artist, it wasn’t something that was realistic and I made it a reality. We need an African pop star, and hopefully I’m that one.”
You can see the video for “Truth Or Dare” above.
Tyla is out 3/1 via Epic. FInd more information here.
Last year, Tyla had one of the biggest R&B hits of the year. She came out of nowhere after opening for Chris Brown on his European tour and her song “Water” took off on TikTok. Eventually, it transitioned into radio and streaming success as well. The song peaked at number 10 on the Hot 100 late last year and is still hovering on the charts this week. Now in a new video fellow R&B darling Teyana Taylor shows her love for the song.
In a clip making the rounds online Taylor and Tyla show off their dance moves while vibing to the song. Surprisingly, some fans in the comments seem to be past “Water.” “Sorry but I’m tired of the song! Left it on 2023! Bless her tho & I love some Teyana,” one of the top comments on the post reads. “Man I’m tired of this d*mn song,” another commenter agreed. Check out the full video and the variety of fan reactions in the comments below.
This isn’t even the first time that Teyana Taylor has partied with a breakthrough R&B star recently. Victoria Monet also had a breakthrough moment earlier this year with her song “On My Mama.” While the track wasn’t quite as much of a smash hit as “Water” it still landed on the Hot 100 for more than a month. She was spotted dancing alongside Taylor and Janelle Monae in a video a few weeks ago.
Back in September, rumors first began to emerge that Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert could be getting divorced. Since then it’s been an avalanche of drama surrounding the pair. While the pair have officially confirmed their split, they haven’t confirmed why. It all began when a girl came forward claiming to be Shumpert’s side-chick. It’s still unclear just how much legitimacy there is behind her claims. What do you think of the new clip of Teyana Taylor and Tyla dancing to Tyla’s 2023 smash-hit “Water?” Let us know in the comment section below.
