Tyla wins Best Afrobeats at MTV VMAs 2024, calling her victory both special and bittersweet

At the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, South African singer Tyla took home the Best Afrobeats award for her viral hit "Water." In her acceptance speech, Tyla expressed both gratitude and a sense of reflection. She acknowledged the song's global impact and highlighted the importance of African music in the pop landscape, stating, "African music can be pop music too!"

Tyla shared her pride in representing her culture and Africa but noted a bittersweet aspect of the win. "This is just so special, but also bittersweet because I know there’s a tendency to group all African artists under Afrobeat," she remarked. She further emphasized the diversity of African music, saying, "African music is so diverse. It’s more than just Afrobeats."

The singer concluded by expressing love and appreciation for the other Afrobeats musicians nominated in the category, stating, "I love you guys."

In addition to her recent VMA win, Tyla recently released the music video for her latest track, "Breath Me," filmed in Osaka, Japan. The video explores a romantic connection between a couple, showcasing both their adoration and moments of tension. Tyla’s casual yet stylish look in the video has also attracted attention.

Tyla continues to make waves in the music industry with her achievements, having already won a Grammy for Best African Music Performance and a BET Award for Best New Artist.