Published 1 month ago
Forbes Africa
Jen Su
South African global music sensation Tyla emerged as one of Africa’s biggest success stories at the 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs), securing two wins and reinforcing the growing international influence of African music, despite not attending the ceremony in person
The singer-songwriter won Best Afrobeats Artist and Social Song of the Year for her hit Chanel—which has accumulated more than 352.8 million Spotify streams—adding another milestone to a career that continues to gain momentum globally
She also retained the Best Afrobeats title for the second consecutive year, beating African heavyweights Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema and MOLIY
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Held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Monday night, the 52nd annual AMAs brought together some of the biggest names in entertainment. While Tyla was absent from the red carpet and ceremony itself, her impact was still strongly felt through the awards she took home
“Tyla, I love her, she’s amazing with her collaboration with Zara Larsson (Swedish singer). They’re the epitome of amazing artists and I love the intricacies of the Afrobeats-Amapiano sound,” musician Tiffany Stringer told FORBES AFRICA on the AMAs’ red carpet
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“She’s an amazing artist and singer,” Canadian singer Johnny Orlando told FORBES AFRICA. “She’s built something really unique, and it’s been exciting watching more people around the world connect with what she’s doing.”
The broader African story at this year’s AMAs extended beyond Tyla’s victories. The Best Afrobeats category again highlighted the growing global footprint of artists from the continent, with Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Wizkid and Rema among the nominees alongside Ghanaian artist MOLIY
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The category reflects a wider shift in the international music industry, where African sounds are increasingly moving from niche recognition into mainstream commercial and cultural influence. Afrobeats, Amapiano and genre-blending African music have become regular fixtures on global charts and streaming platforms
For South Africa, Tyla’s latest recognition adds to a period of sustained international success that already includes two Grammy Awards and upcoming performances for the FIFA World Cup opening ceremonies in Mexico and Los Angeles next month
While African artists may not have dominated red-carpet arrivals this year, the awards themselves reflected another reality: Africa’s influence no longer depends on physical presence alone
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Related Topics:#Africa, #Featured, #News Letter, #newsletter, #Nigeria, #South Africa, #Tyla.
