South African singer Tyla made history at the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs) on Monday night, the 26th of May, 2025, securing the coveted Favorite Afrobeats Artist award. Her victory came amidst stiff competition from Nigerian heavyweights Asake, Rema, Tems, and Wizkid.
The 51st annual AMAs, hosted by global icon Jennifer Lopez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, celebrated various musical talents. While Billie Eilish dominated the evening with seven awards, including Artist of the Year, Tyla’s win underscored the rising influence of South African artists in the Afrobeats.
Tyla’s ascent in the global music scene has been significant. Her chart-topping single “Water” captivated audiences worldwide and earned her accolades at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards, where she clinched both Top Afrobeats Artist and Top Afrobeats Song.
Additionally, she made history at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards by becoming the first African artist to win three awards in a single night, including Best Afrobeats, Best R&B, and Best African Act.
Despite introducing the AMAs’ Afrobeats category in 2022, Tyla’s win signifies a broader acceptance and appreciation of the genre’s diversity. In her previous acceptance speeches, Tyla has emphasised the richness of African music, highlighting her South African roots and the Amapiano genre. She stated, “I come from South Africa. I represent Amapiano. I represent my culture.”
Including artists like Tyla alongside Nigerian stars in international award categories reflects the evolving landscape of African music. Tyla’s victory at the AMAs serves as an inspiration, highlighting the potential of African music to transcend borders and resonate with audiences worldwide.
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