South African pop sensation Tyla has reached another major landmark in her rapidly ascending career, taking home the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at this year’s ceremony in Los Angeles.
The 24-year-old artist won the accolade for her song Push 2 Start, beating out a competitive field that included some of Africa’s biggest names, such as Nigeria’s Burna Boy, Davido and Ayra Starr, alongside Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo.
The win is Tyla’s second in the category, following her 2024 victory for the global hit Water, a track that launched her onto the international stage and established her as one of Africa’s most prominent new musical voices.
Accepting the award, Tyla described the moment as surreal and said she was proud to represent Africa on a global platform. She also pointed to the rising international profile of African music, expressing hope that more artists from the continent will continue to receive global recognition.
News of her victory sparked a wave of reactions online, with fans across Africa and beyond celebrating the achievement. South Africans led the tributes, praising Tyla for elevating the country’s music on the world stage. While some Nigerian fans expressed disappointment that their favourite artists did not win, many still acknowledged Tyla’s impact and growing influence.
The ceremony also paid tribute to Africa’s musical legacy, as the Recording Academy awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award to the late Nigerian icon Fela Kuti, nearly 30 years after his death. Widely regarded as the creator of Afrobeat, Kuti remains one of the most influential figures in African music history.
Overall, the night highlighted the expanding global presence of African artists, reflecting the continent’s increasing influence on one of the music industry’s biggest stages.
