In a move causing major excitement across Africa’s music scene, South Africa’s own Tyla has clinched a high-profile feature on Cardi B’s upcoming album, Am I The Drama. Nigerian and West African fans are already abuzz, marking this collaboration as a significant milestone for the continent’s fast-rising stars on the global stage.
The Build-Up: Cardi B’s Album Reveal Sends Social Media Into Frenzy
Ahead of the album’s release—slated for Friday, 19 September 2025—Cardi B unveiled a guest list packed with music powerhouses. Alongside icons like Janet Jackson, Selena Gomez, Kehlani, Megan Thee Stallion, Cash Cobain, Lizzo, and Summer Walker, Tyla’s inclusion is especially causing a stir among West African listeners who have closely followed her meteoric rise.
Months of speculation about Cardi B and Tyla working together intensified after the pair were frequently seen together earlier this year. Many fans also took note when Cardi publicly defended the Push 2 Start singer during a bout of social media criticism—a move that hinted at their close working relationship and mutual respect within the industry.
WHO ELSE IS THE DRAMA? 🐦⬛Am I The Drama is out September 19th pic.twitter.com/3AYtw17Ahv
— Cardi B (@iamcardib)
WHO ELSE IS THE DRAMA? 🐦⬛Am I The Drama is out September 19th pic.twitter.com/3AYtw17Ahv
— Cardi B (@iamcardib) September 15, 2025
Fan Reactions and Buzz Across West Africa
Nigerian and Ghanaian music lovers are celebrating on social media, sharing their excitement with trending hashtags and fan art across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok. Many see Tyla’s accomplishment not just as a personal victory, but as evidence of Africa’s growing influence on the international music landscape.
- A Lagos-based entertainment analyst, Tunde Bakare, shared, “This shows that African talent is now recognized at the highest levels—beyond Afrobeats, our artists are global trendsetters.”
- Ghanaian music blogger Ama Osei added, “For West African fans, seeing Tyla on such a project with Cardi, Janet, and other big names affirms that African pop culture is redefining the global sound.”
With fans reminiscing about early hints—a backstage video here, a cryptic tweet there—many say this announcement is the highlight of the year for African pop culture enthusiasts. As Cardi and Tyla’s collaboration moves from rumor to reality, Nigeria’s entertainment community is gearing up to stream, review, and react to every track.
Career Milestones: Tyla’s Rise from “One-Hit Wonder” to Streaming Giant
Tyla, who hails from Johannesburg, has shattered expectations set by critics who once doubted her staying power on the global stage. This week alone, she surpassed three billion total streams on Spotify—a remarkable accomplishment that places her among Africa’s streaming elite.
Earlier in 2024, she entered Spotify’s Billions Club thanks to the runaway success of her single Water, which alone has accumulated over a billion streams. In Nigeria, where streaming culture continues to skyrocket and music is a key part of youth expression, Tyla’s story is seen as proof that African artists can break past old limitations.
Cardi B steps out in traffic to promote Court Editions of her upcoming album ‘AM I THE DRAMA?’ pic.twitter.com/gAxbp4lx86
— Pop Base (@PopBase)
Cardi B steps out in traffic to promote Court Editions of her upcoming album ‘AM I THE DRAMA?’ pic.twitter.com/gAxbp4lx86
— Pop Base (@PopBase) September 4, 2025
Inside the Album: What We Know About Am I The Drama
Cardi B kept fans guessing prior to making her official announcement, teasing them with playful social media posts—“Who else is the drama?”—before revealing the full list of collaborators. She has already released two singles off the album, Outside and Imaginary Playerz, and anticipation spikes as the release date approaches.
Each of Cardi’s albums is known for bold visuals and newsworthy moments, with this project including several cover arts—one notably nodding to her recent legal battles. As for Tyla’s forthcoming track with Cardi, industry insiders predict it could become a club and radio hit from Lagos to Accra, and beyond.
The Broader Impact: Opportunity for Nigerian & African Artists
Tyla’s involvement on a world-class album like Am I The Drama is a pivotal moment for aspiring Nigerian and African musicians, many of whom still face infrastructural and market access barriers. Nigerian producers and A&Rs (artists and repertoire) have taken note, discussing what this achievement means for collaboration opportunities and global visibility.
- Cross-Regional Connections: Artists across Africa—not just from South Africa—now have tangible proof that a creative spark and strategic partnership can result in global success.
- Inspiration for Local Talent: Young musicians in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kumasi, and Accra are drawing inspiration from Tyla’s journey, looking up to her as proof that “if she can, we can,” as one TikTok user put it.
- Industry Analysis: According to Lagos-based talent scout Bola Ibitoye, “The next Burna Boy or Tems could be anyone—doors are wide open, and this Tyla-Cardi collaboration proves the world is listening.”
Just passed 3 Billion streams on Spotify tfffff !!!
Syd n I look good so imma leave these here w that information 💋 pic.twitter.com/3lFpkkZq1r
— Tyla (@Tyllaaaaaaa)
Just passed 3 Billion streams on Spotify tfffff !!!
Syd n I look good so imma leave these here w that information 💋 pic.twitter.com/3lFpkkZq1r
— Tyla (@Tyllaaaaaaa) September 15, 2025
The Road Ahead: Cardi B, Tyla, and The New Era of African Sound
As Cardi B prepares to officially drop her sophomore studio album, Tyla’s presence on the project is a testament to both her perseverance and the unstoppable momentum of African artists on the world stage. The 23-year-old has travelled a long way from her early days in Johannesburg to being spotlighted alongside music royalty.
For the Nigerian and broader West African music industry, this story underscores a continued shift: where once global collaborations felt distant, today’s rising stars are changing that narrative in real time. Local music critics and observers agree that this could set the stage for even more cross-continental projects—potentially opening doors for homegrown giants like Ayra Starr, Rema, Omah Lay, or Black Sherif to make their own marks globally.
🚨 Tyla is set to feature on Cardi B’s upcoming album “Am I The Drama”
Out this Friday 🔥👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/gQVHF9aF4O
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ)
🚨 Tyla is set to feature on Cardi B's upcoming album "Am I The Drama"
Out this Friday 🔥👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/gQVHF9aF4O
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) September 15, 2025
Community Pulse: What Does This Mean for You?
As history unfolds for African pop, Nigerians, Ghanaians, and all music lovers are invited to watch closely. Will this collaboration set off a new “gold rush” for African features on global albums? What can local industry leaders do to support the next Tyla or Burna Boy? And how will this impact the visibility of Nigerian and West African artists in international markets?
The conversation is only just beginning—but one thing is clear: Africa is no longer just a source of talent; it is a driving force in global music culture.
Are you hyped about Tyla’s collaboration with Cardi B? Which African artists do you want to see featured next on global albums?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation.
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