Happy Birthday, Tyla! Revisit Her Noughties Pop Star Style

Tyla may not have been alive during the original Y2K era, but she is more than capable of reviving the trend. While the “Water” singer is known for her distinctive South African-inspired sound, she has also honed a singular fashion sense. In short: she’s never met a cutout, animal print, or thigh-high slit she didn’t like.

The singer’s style can be defined, first and foremost, by its sexiness, be it in a shredded yellow Area dress or a George Trochopoulos jacket made of mussel shells—sans undershirt. She’s quickly proven herself a true clotheshorse willing to take risks, from the Balmain sand sculpture (made of actual sand) she wore to the 2024 Met Gala to the mint green crystal netted Atelier Versace number she wore to her first Grammys, where she took home the award for Best African Music Performance.

But she’s also become a serious player in the vintage game, too. At the 2025 Glamour Women of the Year Awards, she flexed her fashion muscles in a slinky, pistachio green Dior dress from John Galliano’s tenure. And for the 2024 BET Awards, she wore a fall 2004 Versace dress that ticked all of her boxes: the black floor-length gown featured a hip-high slit, plunging cutout, and yellow animal print train. While she tends to stay away from direct references with her naughties style, Tyla did pay homage to Aaliyah with the blue tiger-striped Roberto Cavalli dress she wore to the MTV EMAs from the designer’s fall 2000 collection.

In honor of Tyla’s birthday, take a look back at some of the singer’s best looks to date.