South African artist Tyla has garnered significant recognition, earning three nominations in the highly competitive Top Afrobeats Song category at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards. This latest achievement highlights her rising global influence, following a stellar year in music. Tyla’s nominations are for her hit tracks “Water,” “Truth or Dare,” and “Jump,” all from her debut album, Tyla, which was released on March 22, 2024.
The complete list of nominees for the 2024 Billboard Music Awards has been revealed, and it includes some surprising contenders. Along with her multiple nods for Top Afrobeats Song, Tyla has also received nominations in other prestigious categories, including Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Female Artist, and Top Afrobeats Artist. These nominations underscore her growing impact in the music industry and solidify her position as one of the most prominent voices in the Afrobeats genre.
Tyla’s hit song “Water,” which has gained massive popularity globally, leads the charge in the Top Afrobeats Song category. The song, which is a key track from her debut album, has garnered millions of streams and widespread acclaim. Joining her in the race for the award are notable artists such as Tems, with her song “Me & U,” and the collaboration between Adam Port & Stryv featuring Malachiii with their track “Move.”
This nomination comes just months after Tyla’s victory at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), where she won the Best Afrobeats category for “Water.” The win, which was announced on September 11, 2024, at The UBS Arena in New York, marked a significant milestone in her career. During her acceptance speech, Tyla expressed her gratitude and pride in representing African music on a global scale.
“The global impact of ‘Water’ shows that African music can be pop music too,” Tyla said while accepting her Moonperson at the VMAs. Her words resonated with many fans and critics alike, showcasing the broader appeal of Afrobeats and its ability to transcend cultural boundaries. Tyla’s recognition at the VMAs is a testament to the growing influence of African artists in mainstream music.
While celebrating her success, Tyla also acknowledged the complexity of categorizing African music. In her speech, she remarked, “This is just so special, but also bittersweet because I know there’s a tendency to group all African artists under Afrobeats.” The artist highlighted the need to recognize the diversity within African music, noting that Afrobeats, while dominant, is just one aspect of the continent’s rich musical landscape.
Despite the continued global dominance of Afrobeats, Tyla’s comments bring attention to the broader spectrum of African music. She emphasized, “African music is so diverse. It’s more than just Afrobeats.” This statement reflects her passion for promoting the unique and varied musical traditions of Africa, while also embracing the success of Afrobeats on the world stage.
