At the 2025 American Music Awards held at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, South African artist Tyla clinched the Favourite Afrobeats Artist award, surpassing notable Nigerian contenders such as Asake, Tems, Wizkid, and Rema. This victory marks Tyla as both the first South African and the first woman to win in this category since its inception in 2022.
Tyla’s global hit “Water” significantly contributed to her win, bolstering her international acclaim. In her acceptance speech, she expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating, “This means the world to me. To be recognized on this stage, alongside legends I admire, is a dream come true.”
However, her triumph has reignited discussions about genre classifications in global music awards. Previously, at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, Tyla won Best Afrobeats Music Video for “Water.” During that event, she clarified that she identifies more with Amapiano—a South African music genre—than with Afrobeats, emphasizing the rich diversity of African music.
This stance has sparked debates, with some questioning the appropriateness of her receiving accolades in the Afrobeats category if she doesn’t align herself with the genre. Critics argue that such awards should honor artists who directly contribute to the Afrobeats sound and its evolution.
Tyla’s achievements underscore the growing global influence of African music and highlight the ongoing conversations about its diverse genres and representations on the world stage.
