David Ochayi
(Tyla. Photo by BBC)
Global Afrobeats star Tyla has cemented her place in music history after securing two coveted wins at the 2026 American Music Awards, marking a groundbreaking moment for African artists.
The Johannesburg-born performer, whose full name is Tyla Laura Seethal, triumphed in the fiercely competitive Best Afrobeats Artist category, outperforming industry heavyweights like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, and Moliy.
Her chart-topping anthem “Chanel” earned her the Social Song of the Year honor—a fan-determined award that solidified her as the sole African winner at this year’s AMAs ceremony.
Tyla made history even before the awards night began, becoming the most nominated African artist in AMAs history with four total nominations—a testament to her meteoric rise on the international stage.
Since its October 2025 release, “Chanel” has shattered records, becoming a streaming juggernaut with over 320 million Spotify plays while securing nominations for Best Music Video and Best Female R&B Artist.
The 24-year-old first captured global attention with her 2023 viral sensation “Water,” which blended sultry R&B with pulsating Amapiano beats—landing in the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 and propelling her debut album to worldwide success.
These latest AMAs victories expand Tyla’s growing trophy case, which already includes a Grammy for Best African Music Performance (“Water”) and back-to-back MTV VMAs for Best Afrobeats Video (2024-2025).
The rising superstar now sets her sights on June’s BET Awards, where she’s nominated for Video of the Year—marking another historic first for an African artist—while finalizing her highly anticipated sophomore album slated for a July 2026 release.
