South African music powerhouse Tyla made history at the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, not just with her win, but with a clarion call for Africa’s rising talent to claim its place on the world stage.
At just 24, she secured her second Grammy in the Best African Music Performance category for her hit single Push 2 Start, becoming the first artist to win the award twice since it debuted in 2024.
Speaking to the press after her victory, Tyla celebrated her personal triumph while spotlighting the broader potential of African music. “We’ve got some incredible talents across the continent — and we need more of them in rooms like this,” she said, stressing that her win should serve as a springboard for greater African representation at global awards.
Her victory came amid fierce competition from celebrated African artists, including Nigeria’s Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid. While she edged out her peers, the category highlighted the continental surge of Afrobeats and African sounds on international stages.
Tyla’s journey from breakout sensation with Water in 2024 to repeat Grammy winner underscores her meteoric rise as one of Africa’s most influential contemporary artists. Beyond her personal accolades, her wins are sparking renewed conversation about the need for expanded recognition of African genres and creatives worldwide.
With ongoing global tours and upcoming music projects, Tyla is using her platform to inspire other African artists, signalling that African music is not just participating on the world stage—it’s shaping it. Her message is clear: these wins are milestones, but the movement toward collective African recognition and influence has only just begun.
