2025 AMA: Tyla Wins Favourite Afrobeats Artist, Rekindles Genre Debate

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At the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Music Awards (AMAs), held on Monday night at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, South African singer Tyla won the category for Favorite Afrobeats Performer.

Tyla won the award after defeating Asake, Tems, Wizkid, and Rema, making her the first South African and first woman to do so since its introduction in 2022. &nbsp,

Wizkid, the inaugural winner, was one of the nominees this year.

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Asake, Rema, Tems, and Wizkid are in a photo combination.

Her success was largely attributed to her success, including her popular single Water, which became well-known worldwide.

During her acceptance speech, Tyla said, “This means the world to me.” It’s a dream come true to be recognized on this stage alongside legends I respect. Thank you to everyone who backed me.

However, the victory has rekindled debates about genre classification in global music awards.

Tyla has previously outperformed Nigerian Afrobeats stars in a genre-related category. &nbsp,

She won the Best Afrobeats Music Video at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), outperforming other African artists like Burna Boy, Tems, and Ayra Starr.

On September 11, 2024, South African sineger-songwriter Tyla poses in front of the camera for the MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, receiving the Best Afrobeats award. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP)

Tyla addressed the confusion surrounding her musical identity after that victory by thanking her and stating that she does not consider herself an Afrobeats artist.

Because I am aware that there are some African artists who are grouping under the name of Afrobeats, she said, “This is so special but also bittersweet.” &nbsp,

African music is so diverse that it transcends just Afrobeats, says the group, “but African music has opened many doors for us.” I stand up for Amapiano and my country.

Some people objected to her victory, asking why she wouldn’t accept awards in the afrobeats categories if she didn’t belong in the genre. &nbsp,

They argued that artists who directly influence Afrobeats’ sound and evolution should be given this honor.

During the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, US singer-songwriter Billie Eilish poses in front of the audience with the awards for album of the year, record of the year, best new artist, song of the year, and best pop vocal album.
FREDERIC J . AFP / BROWN

Billie Eilish won all seven of her nominations, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Favorite Touring Artist, Favorite female pop artist, and Favorite pop album Hit Me Hard and Soft, on the night. Additionally, Birds of a Feather won the awards for Best Pop Song and Song of the Year.

For Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé won two awards, including Best Female Country Artist and Best Country Album.

For Favorite Hip-Hop Singer/Sänger and Favorite Hip-Hop Recordings The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), Post-Malone won his first award in the country category and Favourite Male Country Artist. Eminem also won his first AMAs in 15 years. &nbsp,

Jennifer Lopez made a dance medley of 23 of the biggest hits from the previous year to open the evening with a new host of the AMAs for the first time in a decade. &nbsp,

Five of his children presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Rod Stewart, who then wrapped up the show with his classic Forever Young.

He said in his acceptance speech, “I am absolutely shocked, I didn’t know they were here, my children.”

“I had this burning ambition to sing when I started singing in the early 1960s, well before all of you guys were here.” All I wanted to do was do that. I opted not to be wealthy or well-known, but I’m still here many years later.