# Push 2 Start

"Push 2 Start" is a song recorded by South African singer Tyla. Released in tandem with the deluxe edition of her self-titled studio album by FAX and Epic Records, it was initially teased at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. It was also serviced to Italian radio stations via Sony Music Italy on 25 October 2024. Musically, it blends elements of amapiano, pop, R&B and reggae, as it explores themes of commitment and attraction. The song was covered by Chloe Bailey and the remix features guest vocals from Sean Paul.
"Push 2 Start" impacted the rhythmic crossover frequencies on 29 October 2024, and it was serviced to the contemporary hit radio on 28 January 2025. The song reached number one on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 before debuting at number 88 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, making Tyla the second female African artist to bag multiple solo entries on the chart. Tyla performed it during her homecoming tour in South Africa.

## Background and release

Tyla first teased "Push 2 Start" during an interview with Entertainment Tonight at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on 11 September 2024, where she received the Best Afrobeats Video award for "Water". She also previewed the song ahead of its release on her socials on 8 October 2024. Written by Tyla, Corey Marlon Lindsay-Keay, Sammy SoSo, James McCarthy and its producers, Ari PenSmith and Mocha Bands, it was released in tandem with the deluxe edition of her self-titled studio album with two other tracks on 11 October 2024, via FAX and Epic Records.
"Push 2 Start" was sent to BBC Radio 1Xtra in the United Kingdom by Since '93 on 18 October 2024. It was also serviced to radio airplay in Italy by Sony Music Italy on 25 October 2024. It impacted the rhythmic crossover radio stations in the United States on 29 October 2024, before it was serviced to contemporary hit radio on 28 January 2025 by FAX and Epic Records. "Push 2 Start" was covered by Chloe Bailey of Chloe x Halle, and its remix, released on 14 February 2025, features guest vocals from Sean Paul.

## Composition and live performances

"Push 2 Start" is 2 minutes and 36 seconds long. It is the second track on Tyla +. Produced by Ari PenSmith, Rayo and Mocha, it was mixed by Leandro "Dro" Hidaldo and mastered by Colin Leonard. Guitars were handled by Sjo and Olmo Zucca, keyboard by Jack LoMastro, and Sammy SoSo handled the bass and programming. It is a blend of reggae, amapiano, pop and R&B genres, infused with elements of Afro pop. She explores issues of commitment and attraction in the song by using analogies related to cars as she sings, "pushing on my buttons with no hesitation, gas me up give me motivation". Her smooth vocal delivery in confidence received praise from critics, whom highlited her ability to merge lyrics and choreography.
Tyla performed a medley of "Water" and "Push 2 Start" in Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York City on 15 October 2024, at the 2024 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and again in Co-op Live, Manchester, United Kingdom on 10 November, at the 30th Annual MTV Europe Music Awards. On 12 December, Tyla performed a medley of "Push 2 Start" and "Shake Ah" at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards. She performed the song during her homecoming tour in South Africa.

## Commercial performance

In the United States, "Push 2 Start" debuted at number 4 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs on the chart dating 26 October 2024, before dethroning "Water" to peak atop the chart on the week of 28 December 2024. It also debuted at number 16 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 on the chart dating 28 December 2024, and went on to reach number 1 on the week of 25 January 2025. With over 400 digital downloads, 4.2 million streams and 8.3 million radio spins on the week of 27 January 2025, "Push 2 Start" debuted at number 88 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making Tyla the second female African artist to bag multiple solo entries on the chart after South African recording artist, Miriam Makeba. It also peaked at number 2 on the World Digital Song Sales chart, number 6 on the Rhythmic chart, number 29 on the Pop Airplay chart, and number 20 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Elsewhere, "Push 2 Start" peaked at number 70 on the Billboard Global 200. The song was certified platinum in Brazil by Pro-Música Brasil, and gold in Canada by Music Canada, for selling 40,000 units in each country. It debuted at number 5 on the Official South African Charts, and peaked at number 3 on week 3 of 2025. It also debuted atop the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart on the chart dating 20 October 2024 – 26 October 2024, peaked number 23 on the UK Singles Chart, and reached number 3 on the UK R&B Chart. The song peaked at number 70 at the Canadian Hot 100 chart, number 17 on the Philippines Hot 100 chart, and number 38 on the Dutch Single Top 100 chart. It also peaked at number 44 in Australia, number 18 in Greece, number 60 in Ireland, number 16 in the United Arab Emirates, number 20 in the New Zealand, number in 10 in Sweden, number 55 in Switzerland, and 105 in Portugal. Its music video peaked at number 23 on the UK Video Charts.

## Music video

Following the release of the deluxe edition, in November 2024, Tyla took to social media to announce that she will be releasing the music video to "Push 2 Start". The announcement coincided with the 2024 United States presidential election, leading the United States citizens to attack Tyla on socials, telling her to "read the room".
Directed by Aerin Moreno, the music video premiered on YouTube on 8 November 2024, at midnight (UTC+02:00). It amassed over 400,000 views in 9 hours. She was praised for bringing along her high school best friend, Thato Nzimande, as the creative director. Choreographed by Lee-ché, the video is set at a car wash where Tyla and her dancers perform a choreography near a vibrant backdrop. She later spray paints herself similar to how a car would be painted and dances on a car carrier as the video concludes. Several critics compared the visuals of the music video to the likes of Rihanna and Beyoncé, pointing out similar scenes from the music videos for their songs, "Shut Up and Drive" and "Crazy in Love" respectively, emphasizing the 2000s pop and R&B music video vibe. She also wears Rihanna-inspired heels in the video.

## Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Tyla +.

### Musicians

* Tyla – lead vocals, background vocals, songwriter
* Sean Paul – performer
* Sammy SoSo – background vocals, programming, bass, arranger, songwriter, vocal producer
* Ari PenSmith – background vocals, songwriter, producer
* Believve – background vocals, vocal producer
* Mocha Bands – background vocals, songwriter, producer
* Sjo – guitar
* Jack LoMastro – keyboards
* Olmo Zucca – guitar
* James McCarthy – songwriter
* Corey Marlon Lindsay-Keay – songwriter
* Ebenezer Maxwell – vocal producer
* Rayan El-Hussein Rayo Goufar – producer

### Technical

* Sammy SoSo – engineer
* Maxwell Ebenezer – recording engineer
* Oscar Cornejo – recording engineer
* Aidan Duncan – assistant engineer
* Leandro "Dro" Hidalgo – mixing engineer
* Colin Leonard – mastering engineer
* Richard Ledesma – engineer

### Music video

* Aerin Moreno – director
* Thato Nzimande – creative director
* Lee-Ché – choreographer
* Ronnie – stylist
* Jimmy – makeup artist
* Jayson Alexander – cameraman and editor

## Certifications

Certifications for "Push 2 Start" :
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) | Platinum | 40,000$^‡$ |
| Canada (Music Canada) | Gold | 40,000$^‡$ |
| $^‡$ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |||

## Release history

Release history for "Push 2 Start" :
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
| Various | 11 October 2024 | Digital downloadstreaming | FAXEpic |
| United Kingdom | 18 October 2024 | Mainstream radio | FAXEpic |
| Italy | 25 October 2024 | Radio airplay | Sony Italy |
| United States | 29 October 2024 | Rhythmic crossover | FAXEpic |
| United States | 28 January 2025 | Contemporary hit radio | FAXEpic |

## Footnote

* ↑ On the remix.