Tyla wins Best Afrobeats Artiste at VMAs, stirs controversy with acceptance speech

MTV Base’s recent announcement of Tyla as the Best Afrobeats artiste of 2024 at the MTV Video Music Awards has sparked a heated debate on Nigerian social media.

The South African singer‘s song Water edged out top Nigerian artists like Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Tems, Wizkid and Davido to claim the top spot.

Meanwhile, in a surprising turn of events, Tyla took to the stage to accept her award and promptly corrected the show organizers. She clarified that she is a South African singer and not an Afrobeats artiste. Instead, she identifies with the Amapiano genre, a distinct South African sound.

Additionally, in a gracious move, Tyla acknowledged the Nigerian artists she surpassed to win the award. She gave a shoutout to Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Tems, Lojay, and Pheelz. However, this is not the first time Tyla has beaten Nigerian artistes to an award. She previously won the Best African Music Performance of 2024 at the Grammys.

Tyla’s win and acceptance speech have ignited a conversation about genre classification and the representation of African music globally. While some celebrate her victory, others question the criteria used to select the Best Afrobeats artist. Lastly, the debate is sure to continue, with many eagerly awaiting the next development in this story.

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