Cultural Exchange and Career Reflections: A Conversation with Tyla and Lisa

Earlier this year, Tyla and Lisa coincidentally found themselves with a free evening in Los Angeles. The South African singer Tyla was on the brink of releasing her debut album, while Lisa, the K-pop superstar from Blackpink, was in the studio with producer and songwriter Sammy SoSo. Both artists, having worked with Sammy, met at the studio, where Tyla previewed her entire album for Lisa. Tyla recalls their first meeting as a pleasantly surprising encounter, “You were literally so sweet. It was so cute,” she said to Lisa.

Months later, the two stars met again at L.A.’s Henson Recording Studios for a photo shoot, accompanied by music from Beyoncé and plenty of Nineties R&B. Despite not seeing each other for some time, their connection remained strong as they encouraged each other during the shoot. Lisa complimented Tyla, who posed confidently for the camera. In return, Tyla admired Lisa’s bold style.

Tyla and Lisa share a remarkable parallel in their rise to fame. Lisa has become renowned as a member of Blackpink, a globally successful K-pop group. Meanwhile, Tyla, representing South Africa, made history by becoming the first musician from her country in over 50 years to achieve a hit on Billboard’s Hot 100, peaking at Number Seven with her pop-amapiano track.

Sharing a couch post-shoot, the artists reflected on milestones in their careers. Tyla recently released a deluxe edition of her album and was nominated for BET awards, while Lisa focused on her solo career during Blackpink’s hiatus, collaborating with artists like Rosalía. Discussions about a potential collaboration between Tyla and Lisa further fueled excitement about their work and future projects.

In a candid exchange, the two discussed cultural appreciation and challenges. Tyla spoke on her mission to showcase her African culture through music and dance, despite the difficulty in finding understanding from some audiences. Lisa, on the other hand, shared the importance of introducing Thai elements in her work, expressing pride in her cultural roots.

Their conversation also touched on personal life and downtime. Lisa enjoys staying at home with her pets, watching Netflix, and cooking when not performing, whereas Tyla finds solace in relaxing at home with snacks and a good series. Both artists agreed on the unique challenges of their profession, including maintaining privacy.

Looking forward, Tyla aims to continue sharing her culture and inspirational journey, while Lisa plans to progress in her solo career and an upcoming acting debut in “White Lotus.” The mutual admiration and respect between the two artists were evident as they discussed the importance of risk-taking and enjoying the journey in their respective fields.