South African music sensation Tyla triumphed at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), taking home the Best Afrobeats Song award for her hit single “Water.” In a highly competitive category, she outshined heavyweights like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, Ayra Starr, and Lojay, marking a monumental moment in her career.
While celebrating her win, Tyla expressed mixed emotions about the categorization of African music under the Afrobeats label. In her acceptance speech, she said, “This is so special, but also bittersweet because there is a tendency to group all artists under Afrobeats.” The star, whose music is more closely aligned with Amapiano – a genre originating from South Africa – highlighted the diversity of African music.
“Even though Afrobeats has opened so many doors for us, African music is so diverse. It’s more than just Afrobeats,” Tyla emphasized. She concluded with pride in her heritage, saying, “I come from South Africa, I represent my culture.” Her win not only celebrates her personal success but also brings attention to the rich and diverse musical landscapes across Africa.
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