TYLA’S VMA WIN: A HISTORIC BITTERSWEET MILESTONE FOR AFRICAN MUSIC”

A Historic Achievement

Tyla’s win is a landmark moment for South African music, marking the first time an artist from the country has secured a VMA. Her track “Water,” which has amassed over 230 million views on YouTube and nearly 800 million streams on Spotify, has captured the global audience’s attention. This recognition highlights the growing influence of African artists on the international stage and signifies a breakthrough for Tyla, who has been making waves with her unique blend of Amapiano—a South African genre that combines house, jazz, and kwaito—with global pop sounds.

A Bittersweet Victory

While Tyla’s success is a cause for celebration, her acceptance speech revealed the complexities of this historic moment. Accepting her award with a mix of humour and gratitude, Tyla joked about the weight of the trophy, asking fellow artist Lil Nas X to hold it for her. However, her heartfelt speech also underscored a bittersweet aspect of her win.

“The global impact that ‘Water’ has had on the world just proves that African music can be pop music too,” Tyla stated, celebrating the widespread appeal of her music. Yet, she also addressed a significant issue: the tendency to categorize all African music under the Afrobeats label. “This is just so special, but also bittersweet because I know there’s a tendency to group all African artists under Afrobeats,” she said. Tyla’s comments reflect a broader conversation about the need to recognize the diverse spectrum of African music genres.

Tyla, who represents Amapiano, expressed a desire to highlight the diversity within African music beyond the popular Afrobeats category. “Even though Afrobeats has opened many doors, African music is so diverse. It’s more than just Afrobeats,” she explained. Her speech highlighted the cultural richness of South African music and the broader African musical landscape, emphasizing that while Afrobeats has gained international acclaim, it does not encompass the full extent of African musical traditions.

Controversy and Debate

Tyla’s win has sparked debate among fans and critics alike, with some questioning her categorization as an Afrobeats artist. The controversy centres around the classification of her music, which is rooted in Amapiano rather than Afrobeats. Some argue that labelling Tyla’s genre as Afrobeats oversimplifies and diminishes the unique characteristics of Amapiano and other African music styles.

This debate highlights a broader issue within the global music industry: the tendency to generalize African music into a single category. While Afrobeats has become a powerful force globally, it is not the sole representation of Africa’s rich musical diversity. Tyla’s comments reflect a call for a more nuanced understanding and appreciation of the various African music genres.

Recognition and Respect

In her speech, Tyla also acknowledged the other artists nominated in the Best Afrobeats category, including Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Tems, and Davido. This gesture of respect illustrates her appreciation for her peers and the collaborative spirit within the African music community. Her recognition of these artists underscores her belief in the collective strength and diversity of African music.

The introduction of the Best Afrobeats category at the VMAs in 2023, with Rema and Selena Gomez as the first winners, set a precedent that Tyla’s win now builds upon. As the first solo act to win this award, Tyla not only celebrates her personal achievement but also paves the way for future artists within the genre.

@mtvuk “This just proves African music can be pop music too” 💛💛💛 YES @Tyla !!! #VMAs #tyla #afrobeats #water #mtvuk ♬ original sound – mtvuk

The Broader Impact

Tyla’s victory, while a significant milestone, also serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for a more nuanced understanding of African music on the global stage. Her win highlights the progress that African artists have made in gaining international recognition but also points to the need for a broader appreciation of the continent’s diverse musical heritage.