“I’m Amapiano” – Tyla Celebrates After Winning MTV VMA in Afrobeats Category

Tyla Laura Seethal, Grammy-winning singer and songwriter widely known as Tyla, recently made a powerful statement about representing the Amapiano genre, not Afrobeats.

The South African artist spoke out after receiving the award for Best Afrobeats Song at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, where she beat notable nominees like Burna Boy, Davido, Lojay, Tems, Ayra Starr, and Pheelz.

Tyla, who was also nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ and ‘Best R&B’ but didn’t win in those categories, used her acceptance speech to highlight the misconception in the West of categorizing all African music as Afrobeats. She acknowledged the global impact Afrobeats has had, opening doors for African artists, but stressed that the continent’s music is much more diverse.

Tyla emphasized her South African roots, proudly representing Amapiano, a genre distinct from Afrobeats, and said she presents her own culture through her music. She praised her fellow African artists in the category, giving a special shout-out to Afrobeats stars like Tems, Ayra Starr, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Rema.

Tyla’s debut album, released on March 22, 2023, titled Tyla, includes hits such as “Water,” “On and On,” “Truth or Dare,” and “Art,” along with promotional single “Butterflies” and the stand-alone track “To Last.” Her global smash hit “Water” propelled her career into the spotlight, sparking a viral dance challenge and racking up nearly 500 million streams on Spotify, ultimately earning her a Grammy win.