Tyla bags first-ever GRAMMY Award for Best African Music Performance
South African sensation Tyla clinched the prestigious golden gramophone for the inaugural Best African Music Performance category with her chart-topping hit “Water.”
The 22-year-old artist triumphed over fierce contenders, including ASAKE & Olamide (“Amapiano”), Burna Boy (“City BoysMiracle”), Davido Featuring Musa Keys (“UNAVAILABLE”), and Ayra Starr (“Rush”).
Surprised and elated, Tyla expressed her disbelief upon receiving the award from presenter Jimmy Jam during the GRAMMYs Premiere Ceremony. “What the heck?!” she exclaimed on stage. “This is crazy; I never thought I’d say I won a GRAMMY at 22 years old.”
Despite facing tough competition, including industry giants Burna Boy and Davido, Tyla’s infectious hit “Water” resonated profoundly with GRAMMY voters.
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The amapiano-based pop anthem made history by entering the Billboard Hot 100 last year, marking the first time a South African solo artist achieved this feat since Hugh Masekala in 1968.
Tyla’s chart-topping success continued as “Water” peaked at No. 7, securing her position as the highest-charting African female solo musician in Billboard history.
The track also claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs and Hip-Hop/R&B charts.
During her acceptance speech, Tyla graciously acknowledged her family, stating, “I know my mother’s crying somewhere in here.”
Tyla’s victory is a personal triumph and a historic moment as she becomes the inaugural winner of the Best African Music Performance category.
The creation of this category aligns with the Recording Academy’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating music from diverse regions globally, as emphasized by Academy President Harvey Mason Jr.
“I’d love to see us be able to honor even more music from Africa and other areas of the world,” Mason commented in an interview with GRAMMY.com.
“The future of the Recording Academy is going to build on equity. We’re not just honoring music breaking in our country — we’re celebrating music from around the world.”