South Africa: African pop-star Tyla has won the Best Afro-beats Award at the 2024 MTV VMAs (Video Music Awards). She talked about the stereotype concerning the categorization of all African Music as Afrobeats.
Reportedly, the singing star was recognised in the grand ceremony at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York on Wednesday night. She has created the history as the first female African Artist, as well as the first South African artist to win VMA.
Johannesburg-born megastar overcame stiff competition from Ayra Starr featuring Giveon, Burna Boy, Chris Brown that featured Davido and Lojay, Tems and Usher with Pheelz.
She was also nominated for Best R&B for Water and Best New Artist. Best R&B was awarded to SZA for Snooze, while Best New Artist went to Chappell Roan.
Tyla turned all heads towards her, in a bright yellow corset fringe top with matching miniskirt, fresh off the New York Fashion Week runway by Area.
She wore an eye-catchy out that included, the miniskirt which was designed with three sections of a long fringe train, boldly she paired it with a turquoise choker, pink neon sandals and a hint of a neon green bikini brief, underneath the skirt.
Hair of Tyla featured golden brown ombre voluminous curls, with a rose mauve lip and smoky eye shadow. The singer aged 22, who has had a year of non-stop accolades in the Grammys BET, Billboard, the VMAs, also a cover on Elle magazine’s October issue, that is rising constantly.
The ‘popiano’ star appeared on stage to receive the coveted MTV moon person trophy and said, “Thank you – MTV, my team, God, everyone, this is such a big moment for Africa.”
She mentioned, “African music, guys. The global impact that water has had on the world proves African music can also be pop music.”
“This is so special but also bittersweet, because I know there’s a tendency to group African artists under Afrobeats. It is a thing and though Afrobeats has run things and has opened many doors for us, African music is so diverse and it is more than just Afrobeats,” expressed Tyla.
Tyla said, “I come from South Africa. I represent amapiano and I represent my culture. I want to shout out to all the Afrobeat artists, who belong to this category with me.”
“Shout out to Tems, Ayra Starr, shout out to Lojay, Rema, Whiskey, Burna Boy, all of us and yeah, I love you guys, Africa to the world!” added Tyla to her speech.
She ended her speech playfully with a flick of her tongue and said, “Stream my album Tyla and thank you again.”