South African singer Tyla made history at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) by winning the Best Afrobeats category and beating renowned artists like Tems, Ayra Starr, Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy. Despite her win in the Afrobeats category, Tyla proudly identified with South Africa’s Amapiano genre, clearly representing her culture and sound.
In her acceptance speech, Tyla acknowledged the impact of Afrobeats in elevating African music globally but pointed out the diversity within African music, urging recognition beyond just Afrobeats. She stated, “Even though Afrobeats has run things and opened doors for us, African music is so diverse… I represent Amapiano and my culture.”
Tyla also gave a shoutout to her fellow nominees, expressing gratitude for the moment while highlighting the need for broader recognition of African genres.
