Tyla Makes History in African Music With Two AMA Wins
At the 51st American Music Awards, South African rising star Tyla carved out her place in history. She won the Favorite Afrobeats Artist award. Thus, she is the first South African woman to do so since the category’s debut in 2022.
Tyla emerged as the standout in a fiercely competitive field with Nigerian powerhouses—Asake, Tems, Wizkid, and Rema. This marked her global breakout year and the increasingly complex narrative around the genre. Meanwhile, she also made African music more present on the world stage.
It is easy to see how Tyla’s clamorous rise has come about due to her hit single “Water”, a viral breakthrough that catapulted the singer into the international limelight. As she accepted her award at the AMAs, Tyla said, “This means the world to me.”. To be recognized on this stage, alongside legends I admire, is a dream come true. Thank you to everyone who believed in me.”
It is easy to see how Tyla’s clamorous rise has come about due to her hit single “Water”, a viral breakthrough that catapulted the singer into the international limelight. As she accepted her award at the AMAs, Tyla said, “This means the world to me.”
It’s her second major win in an Afrobeats-labeled category in under a year. In September, Tyla won the Best Afrobeats award at the MTV Video Music Awards for “Water.” She omitted genre mainstays like Burna Boy, Tems, and Ayra Starr. That victory, too, was met with celebration and criticism.
Tyla Faced The Criticism At The Award
The criticism wasn’t about her talent. It was about labels. While the global music industry continues grappling with classifying the explosion of African genres, Tyla has been vocal about not identifying as an Afrobeats artist.
“This is so special but also bittersweet because I know there’s a tendency to group African artists under Afrobeats,” she said backstage at the VMAs. “Afrobeats has opened many doors for us, but African music is so diverse—it’s more than just Afrobeats. I represent Amapiano and my culture.”
Her statement struck a nerve. Some fans and observers applauded her clarity and pride in South African sonic heritage. Others, especially within the Afrobeats community, questioned the consistency of accepting awards under a genre banner she doesn’t claim. Critics argue that such honors should be reserved for artists actively shaping the Afrobeats movement.
Nonetheless, the wins speak for themselves. Tyla’s artistry, presence, and unabashed ownership of her sound have resonated worldwide. Thus, she received recognition from two of the largest award shows in music. If anything, her AMA win makes the discussion of African music’s place in the global market and who determines its destiny even more important.
As genre lines blur and the international spotlight intensifies, Tyla’s trajectory is not just a personal triumph. It’s a case study of how music, identity, and recognition continue to collide on the global stage.
