Tyla Makes History at 2025 AMAs, Sparks Fresh Debate Over Afrobeats Identity
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
South African singer Tyla clinched the Favourite Afrobeats Artist award at the 51st American Music Awards (AMAs), held Monday night at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
She triumphed over a competitive field of Nigerian stars like Asake, Tems, Wizkid, and Rema. Becoming the first South African and the first woman to win in the category since its inception in 2022. Notably, Wizkid, the category’s inaugural winner, was also among this year’s nominees.
Tyla’s breakout single Water, which achieved global virality, along with her rising international profile, played a key role in her win.
“This means the world to me,” Tyla said in her acceptance speech. “To be recognized on this stage, alongside legends I admire, is a dream come true. Thank you to everyone who believed in me.”
However, her win has reignited the ongoing debate surrounding genre classification in global music awards.
It’s not the first time Tyla has edged out Afrobeats giants in a category bearing the genre’s name. At the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, she won Best Afrobeats Video for Water, beating nominees like Burna Boy, Tems, and Ayra Starr.
After that win, Tyla addressed the confusion around her musical style, clarifying she does not identify as an Afrobeats artist.
“This is so special but also bittersweet because I know there’s a tendency to group African artists under Afrobeats,” she said. “Afrobeats has opened many doors for us, but African music is so diverse it’s more than just Afrobeats. I represent Amapiano and my culture.”
Her comments, while praised by some for their honesty, also drew criticism. Detractors questioned why she continues to accept accolades in Afrobeats categories if she doesn’t claim the genre, arguing that such awards should go to artists shaping the sound and trajectory of Afrobeats itself.
The debate underscores the broader conversation about how African music is labeled and represented on global stages and who gets to define it.