Tyla’s PUSH 2 START Hits 500,000 Units Sold in the US, Marking Another Milestone for the Afrobeats Star

Written By : Ekow Adjei Mensah 

South African artiate Tyla has notched another impressive achievement as her single PUSH 2 START surpassed 500,000 units sold in the United States. The track, part of the deluxe edition of her self-titled debut album TYLA +, released on October 11, 2024, blends amapiano, pop, and R&B, resonating with fans through its car metaphors and themes of commitment. Following the global success of her Grammy-winning hit WATER, which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, PUSH 2 START debuted at No. 88 on the same chart in January 2025, making Tyla the second female African artiste with multiple solo Hot 100 entries after Miriam Makeba. 

The song’s momentum, fueled by 4.2 million streams and 8.3 million radio spins in its debut week, has also seen it sell over 2.64 million copies worldwide by April 2025, earning diamond certification. The success of PUSH 2 START builds on Tyla’s banner year, with her debut album Tyla already certified gold in the US for over 500,000 units sold. 

Her ability to merge genres while staying rooted in her South African identity has made her a standout, with the song’s music video, directed by Aerin Moreno and featuring choreography at a car wash, drawing comparisons to Rihanna and Beyoncé for its 2000s vibe. Tyla’s live performances, including at the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and the Billboard Women in Music 2025 event, have further amplified the track’s reach, showcasing her dance prowess and global appeal. 

Posts reflect fan excitement, with many calling her a “queen” and predicting summer dominance, though some note the song’s heavy TikTok presence, with 478,000 videos, may signal oversaturation.

Yet, Tyla’s rapid rise sparks questions about the sustainability of her success in a competitive industry. 

The commercial triumph of PUSH 2 START mirrors the broader mainstreaming of afrobeats, but as with her album’s shift to the Best Pop Vocal Album category at the 2025 Grammys, despite its afrobeats roots, there’s a risk of cultural dilution to fit Western markets. 

Fans have debated whether her global appeal might come at the cost of authenticity, especially as her collaborations, like the February 2025 remix with Sean Paul, aim for broader audiences. As Tyla continues to break barriers, her journey highlights the tension between staying true to her roots and navigating the demands of international stardom.