Tyla took home double wins for Top Afrobeats Artist and Top Afrobeats Song at the just-ended 2024 Billboard Music Awards, beating Nigerian icons Burna Boy, Rema, Tems, and Asake. It was a defining moment for the 21-year-old South African artist, who has rapidly emerged as one of the most exciting voices in the international music scene.
From ‘Water’ to Global Icon
Her debut single, Water, was at the heart of this success. Released on July 28, 2023, the track quickly gained traction, flooding TikTok feeds and earning global acclaim. It was not long before the song made history, becoming the first solo track by a South African artist to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 in more than 55 years. Even more impressive, Water maintained its position at No. 1 on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart for 53 consecutive weeks, smashing records for solo and female-led songs. The song’s rise echoed as a cultural moment, blending South African roots with universal appeal.
Tyla’s Journey to Billboard and Beyond
In less than a year, Tyla has accomplished what many artists aspire to achieve over a lifetime. Alongside her Billboard victories, she has earned a Grammy Award, multiple MTV Europe Music Awards, and several South African Music Awards, strengthening her status as a global powerhouse in the music industry. What sets her ascent apart, however, is the remarkable speed and depth of her impact. Similarly, her success transcends charts and trophies, symbolizing the breaking of barriers, the reshaping of perceptions, and the undeniable influence of African female artists on the international stage. In a genre traditionally dominated by men, Tyla’s story is rewriting the narrative.
At the awards ceremony, her speech was raw and filled with emotion, reflecting her genuine disbelief and gratitude. She took the stage and said,
“Yo, guys. I do not even know this is all happening. Yo, guys. You’re bad, also you’re um, thank you. Thank you, everybody here. You guys killed it. You guys gave me energy. Thank you, guys, so much. Thank you to Billboard. Thank you to the label, my label, Epic Records. Thank you, Sylvia. Thank you my Tygas. Thank you, my family. Thank you, God. Thank you everyone. Thank you, my friends and my loved ones. Thank you, Africa.”
Female Artists Dominate Global Music
Moreover, Tyla’s victory shines a light on the rising prominence of women in music, especially young African women. At just 21, she has become one of the youngest African female artists to achieve such global acclaim, setting a new standard for what is possible. The night also saw Taylor Swift making history as the most-awarded artist in Billboard Music Awards history, creating a juxtaposition. Both women, at different stages in their careers, stressed on the transformative role of women in music, proving that they are leading the conversation.
The 2024 Billboard Music Awards, hosted by actress and comedian Michelle Buteau, brought together talent from across the globe. Pre-recorded performances aired on platforms like Fox and Billboard.com, creating a celebration of music that transcended borders. However, Tyla’s double win was undoubtedly one of the evening’s highlights; a young South African artist standing tall among the greats, portraying the limitless potential of African music, and the power of a dream realized.
