This marks Tyla’s first-ever MTV VMA win, making her the first South African artiste to claim a VMA
By Hope Ibiale
South African superstar, Tyla, has been announced as the winner of the ‘Best Afrobeats’ category at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. This marks her first-ever MTV VMA win, making her the first South African artiste to claim a VMA. The “Water” crooner was also nominated in the ‘Best New Artiste’ and ‘Best R&B’ categories but lost to Chappell Roan and SZA, respectively.
In her acceptance speech, expressed her gratitude for winning the award. She also described winning as “bittersweet” because she believes all African artistes shouldn’t be grouped under Afrobeats. Tyla further talked about the genre of music she makes and applauded the other nominees in the Best Afrobeats category.
This win follows her historic win at the 2024 Grammy awards where she won the Best African Music Performance for “Water”. Tyla also won the ‘Best New Artiste’ and ‘Best International Act’ awards at this year’s BET award ceremony.
This year, American artistes, Taylor Swift and Post Malone led the winners list as they both won seven and five awards, respectively. Other winners at the award show include Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Katy Perry, SZA, Benson Boone, Eminem, Dua Lipa, Megan Thee Stallion, Lisa, and many others.
Now in its 40th year, the American cable channel MTV’s Video Music Awards is an award show that celebrates the best music videos. It is popularly called the Grammy Awards for music videos, and has continued to recognise quality music videos and artistes.
Check the full list of winners here.