South African singer Tyla has been having a groundbreaking year, and her latest achievement has only added to her global recognition. At the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), held on September 11, 2024, Tyla took home the coveted Best Afrobeats award for her viral hit, Water.

This win is a major milestone for her career, as she triumphed over prominent artists like Burna Boy (City Boys), Ayra Starr featuring Giveon (Last Heartbreak Song), and Davido with Chris Brown and Lojay (Sensational).

Tyla’s acceptance speech was as heartfelt as it was impactful. After playfully asking Lil Nas X to hold her Moon Person trophy, saying, “I’m not strong enough,” she addressed the significance of her win. “The global impact that Water has had on the world just proves that African music can be pop music too,” she began. However, she pointed out the tendency to lump all African artists under the Afrobeats genre. “It’s bittersweet because, while Afrobeats has opened many doors for us, African music is so much more diverse,” Tyla said.

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Championing Amapiano and African diversity

The 22-year-old proudly highlighted her roots in amapiano, a genre that originated in South Africa and fuses house, jazz, and kwaito sounds from the 1990s. In addition, she said, “I come from South Africa, and I represent Amapiano and my culture,” ending with a powerful declaration, “Africa to the world.”

Tyla received nominations for Best Afrobeats, Best New Artist, and Best R&B for “Water,” making her one of this year’s breakout stars. Furthermore, competing alongside major names like Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, and Davido for the Best Afrobeats award was no small feat, and her victory signals a new era for African music on the global stage.

The star’s win continues a streak of major successes this year, including multiple BET Awards and even a Grammy. Moreover, as she rides the wave of her viral hit “Water,” Tyla is not just making music; She is reshaping how the world perceives African music.

Her message was clear: African music is varied and vibrant, and while Afrobeats has helped push it to the forefront, genres like amapiano are also making their mark. This moment at the VMAs was a testament to Tyla’s growing influence and the power of African music across the globe.