South African singer Tyla has taken the top spot, outshining notable Nigerian artists Burna Boy, Rema, Tems, and Asake to claim the prestigious Top Afrobeats Artiste award at this year’s Billboard Music Awards.
Tyla who has been making waves globally with her hit track Water, outshone her Nigerian counterparts in a category often dominated by Afrobeat stars from Nigeria.
Tylaβs debut single, βWaterβ, catapulted her to global fame and earned her several accolades, including the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance in February 2024.
South African singer Tyla poses on the red carpet upon arrival to attend the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) at the Co-op live stadium in Manchester, north west England, on November 10, 2024. β The ceremonyβs 30th edition, which brings together the biggest names in world music, takes place at Manchesterβs new Co-op Live venue, with ten of the eleven artists nominated the most, being women.
At 22 years old, she became the youngest African artist to receive a Grammy.
While Burna Boy, Rema, and Tems have previously enjoyed Billboard acclaim, Tylaβs victory highlights her rapid ascent and the expanding reach of South African music in the Afrobeats genre.
Tyla celebrates a double win at the Billboard Music Awards, clinching the titles of Top Afrobeats Artist and Top Afrobeats Song for her hit track, βWater.β
Her win adds another feather to her cap in a year that has seen her breakthrough on various international stages.
This yearβs awards also celebrated other international stars like Taylor Swift and Zach Bryan, but for Afrobeats enthusiasts, Tylaβs win is a moment that will not be forgotten anytime soon.
