Skyla Tylaa has found her happy place in the club
Skyla Tylaa describes her entrance into music as a “big baptism of fire” — a fitting idiom for someone who’s obtained international DJ status only a few years into their career. Taking things back to 2020, on this side of the Atlantic, the DJ’s native south London was in the midst of a strict lockdown. Meanwhile, the then-twenty-one year old was doing up the club scene in Ghana, where she’d recently relocated with her family. “The rules weren’t so strict there, so the clubs were open,” Tylaa tells me. “People like Free The Youth, Daily Paper and Small God all gave me opening slots at their event nights. Then the NSG guys gave me my first residency at their club in Ghana, Area Bar, where I opened every Friday night.” It was a quick progression considering Tylaa had only dipped her toe into DJing earlier that year. But the rapid acceleration set the tone for what was to come. Already, Tylaa has supported Wizkid, received a co-sign from Rihanna and released her first track, ‘Bombshell’, boasting both vocal and producer credits. She’s also been selected to play as part of Skepta’s exclusive line-up at his Big Smoke festival this coming weekend.
Quick her progress may be, Tylaa’s success is by no means a coincidence. She’s gained a dedicated fanbase, drawn to both her genuine love for her environment — “The club,” she says, “is my happy place.” — as well as her eclectic and seamless genre-blending, the foundations for which were laid far earlier than the pandemic. Growing up with seven siblings, the south Londoner’s childhood home was a melting pot for music. “We listened to everything from funky house to old school R&B to reggae,” Tylaa says. It is with Amapiano and Afro-electronic, however, that the DJ has found her home. Back in May, the twenty-four year old packed out one of London’s biggest nightclubs, Fabric, with fans wanting to soak up her signature genres. That isn’t to say, though, that Tylaa is set in her ways — wherever in the world she touches down, the DJ scouts out local tastes and takes an off-the-cuff approach to mixing on stage based on “vibe”. Her aim is both simple and effective — if she can turn a bad day around, then Tylaa has done her job.
You started your professional music journey in lockdown. How did that come about?
I’d reached a point where I was really trying to think about which direction I wanted to go in life. I was twenty-one, I’d already tried to pursue a career as a make-up artist and had gone to make-up school. I’d had some amazing experiences — I got to work on a Tiwa Savage video shoot, which was amazing — but it still didn’t feel like the right thing for me. From there, I spoke to my sister, who’s a music manager, about what I could do and she said to try DJ school. I did that just before the lockdown happened. Fast forward to the second lockdown, and I was living in Ghana with my family. The rules weren’t so strict there so the clubs were open, and I was given one of my first DJ sets. I was just keen to take any opportunity that came my way. From that time in Ghana, I’ve just never looked back. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
What drew you to Amapiano and Afro-electronic music?
It all started when we were living in Ghana. We were there for over two years and we just completely fell in love with the country — it really is a second home. It was around 2021 when Amapiano was exploding, so I was exposed to it at the right time. There was one day during one of Wiz’s writing camps when I was at home, sick on a drip, and from the studio I could hear Amapiano playing. From there I just fell in love and was hooked. That same day I met Major League DJz, Maphorisa and Uncle Vinny, and they just took me under their wing. They were so supportive and helpful. Major League were a huge support and I feel like I’ve learnt from the best. They even went on to set up my first tour in South Africa, which was my first time playing Amapiano to the SA crowd. They do not mess around if they don’t like your set — they would literally just stand still — but it was a big success and I really proved myself there.
What would you say makes your spin on DJing unique?
I just love the craft of DJing. I’m always trying to improve my skills in every set. I love the transitions, I love to involve the audience and blending genres people wouldn’t expect from me. I just like to keep everyone guessing and surprising people.
How do you communicate both your south London and Jamaican roots in your work?
I’d say growing up in London has had the biggest influence. You’re surrounded by so many cultures. It’s definitely inspired my broad taste in music.
Can you walk us through your creative process of putting together a set? How do you decide which tracks to include?
The first thing I do when I land in a country is speak to the promoter and find out what music is big in their country or city — find out from the locals! I ask them so many questions — what the crowd is like, what the vibe is like — and just try to take that all in. I do my own research and digging for songs I think will work with the crowd and the rest I leave up to vibe. I don’t plan sets. I walk in and read the room and go off that. I really want to cater to the audience and feed off them. You don’t know that until you’re in the room.
You’ve played shows across the globe. What are some standout moments?
One of my career highlights happened just this month. I DJed at 7Fest in Amsterdam on the Daily Paper stage and it was just crazy. I was fifteen minutes into my set when the mainstage headliner, Frenna, who runs the festival, finished, and it felt like the entire festival just swarmed to my stage. It felt like the crowd was just in a trance. It was amazing. Everyone turned up — Small God, King Promise. It felt like one of my best sets. The owner messaged me after to say, next time, we need to go even bigger. I can’t wait to go back.
You’ve supported Wizkid, played at Rihanna’s Fenty x Puma Creeper launch event and been endorsed by the likes of Central Cee. Who does it feel most surreal to have in your corner?
Wiz is like a brother to me, so his support and love means a lot. Rihanna picking me to DJ at her event really gave me confidence that I was doing the right thing and doing it well. It’s very surreal to have a co-sign from her!
Are there any other artists who’ve inspired you that you haven’t yet mentioned?
Black Coffee and his Ibiza residency, and how long it’s been running, inspires me.
Who’s your dream collaboration and why?
Fred Again because his music is just crazy. And obviously Rihanna, because who wouldn’t want to collaborate with her?
You recently dropped ‘Bombshell’, your first single with both vocal and producer credits. Can you tell us a bit about the journey of making that song, and what it means to you?
Tyler [ICU] and I had a session in London early last year. He played me the idea and I loved it. Khlalil [Harrison] had the killer chorus on it, and I loved that, too. Those two are a killer duo! Shoutout to them and [DJ] Exit! I teased the record all summer long on my sets. Then I met Benny [Jnr], a dope choreographer from SA, who also loved the song and created a dance challenge to further push the tease. Surprisingly, Diamond [Platnumz] wanted in on the record and I was beyond stunned and grateful. He added his verse and that took the hype around the record to an entirely new level. A new dance challenge even launched online from Hiikey, a choreographer from Tanzania. With all that momentum, plus a sprinkle of my vocals, I knew I had the perfect debut single ready. The track is a testament to my career because it literally is saying, I’m coming. No one knows how I’m coming — I’m just gonna surprise everyone!
Beyond your new track and performances, what does your work as a DJ mean to you on a personal level?
Partying and the club is my happy place. I love interacting with people, partying — the freedom of it. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
You definitely look like you’re having the time of your life when you’re on stage. What element of performing do you enjoy the most?
Giving life to someone who might be having a bad day, or just helping people escape anything they need to escape — helping people have fun. Life is so serious and, if I can turn a bad day around, that means a lot. I love that people can express themselves through dancing.
Do you have any pre-show rituals that help you get into the performance mindset?
When I get to my hotel, I light a candle and start downloading music.
What’s next for Skyla Tylaa? Any hopes and dreams?
In this next stage, I’m just going to be expanding my sets even more. Exploring more genres within African electronic music, and just continuing to grow and improve. There’s going to be new music, lots more DJ sets, more headline shows. When it comes to dreams, I want an Ibiza residency one day, I really want to play at Tomorrowland, and I want to just keep doing what I’m doing!
