Tyla, Shaboozey Win At 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards

South African singer Tyla and Nigerian-American rising country star Shaboozey stole the spotlight at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, held on Monday, March 17, at the prestigious Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Tyla, who has taken the global stage by storm, was crowned World Artist of the Year, beating out competition from Grammy-winning Nigerian superstars Burna Boy and Tems. The 22-year-old singer, best known for her viral hit Water, had a strong showing with three nominations, making her one of the most recognised African artists at the event.

Meanwhile, Shaboozey, whose genre-blending style has captivated country and hip-hop audiences alike, clinched the Best New Artist (Country) award, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Nigerian stars also had a presence at the awards, with Davido and Lojay earning a nomination for Best R&B Song for their feature on Chris Brown’s track Sensational. They were up against Tyla’s Water, which has become a global anthem.

While African artists made waves, the night belonged to Taylor Swift, who dominated the winners’ list. Music legend Mariah Carey received the prestigious Icon of the Year award, celebrating her decades of influence in the industry.

The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards once again showcased the power of global music, with artists from different corners of the world proving that great music knows no boundaries.

See full list of winners here. 

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Chinalurumogu Eze

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