South African singer Tyla has reached a significant milestone by winning the Best Afrobeats award at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs). The 30th edition of the annual awards, held on Sunday, November 10 at the Co-op Arena, honored standout global artists and celebrated musical diversity.
The Best Afrobeats category included Nigerian artists Burna Boy, Tems, Rema, Asake, and Ayra Starr, but Tyla emerged as the winner for the genre, which originated in Nigeria. Tyla also won the Best R&B and Best African Act awards at the event.
Accepting the Best Afrobeats award, Tyla brought her sister on stage and said, “If you guys don’t know (her), this is my sister, Sydney (Seethal). Oh my gosh, guys – I can’t believe it. Literally, all the nominees, they are insane, they literally have taken Afrobeats so far. And I’m so honoured to be winning this award, you know, like it’s insane. But I just want to thank my team.
“I want to thank my family, the Tygers for voting for me. Thank you to God, obviously. You know Afrobeats has opened so many doors for African music.”
Her sister Sydney expressed her pride, saying, “Girl, I’m proud of you!”
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