Culture Craze
Tyla makes history with second Grammy win for African Music Performance
Tyla’s global sound makes history
South African singer Tyla has once again taken the world by storm, winning her second Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 1.
Her winning track, “PUSH 2 START”, from the deluxe edition of her self-titled debut album, marks a historic moment: Tyla is the first artist to win this category twice since it was introduced in 2024.
The Grammy category, created to showcase the richness of contemporary African music, has already highlighted the continent’s growing influence on the global stage. Tyla’s back-to-back wins underscore her unique ability to bridge local South African sounds with international pop appeal.
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A competitive field
Tyla faced stiff competition from some of Africa’s top artists. Nominees included Burna Boy’s “Love”, Davido featuring Omah Lay’s “With You”, Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid’s “Gimme Dat”, and Eddy Kenzo with Mehran Matin’s “Hope and Love”. Each track brought different regional flavours, from West African Afrobeats to East African pop, reflecting the diversity of African music today.
Despite the competition, Tyla’s mastery of amapiano rhythms blended seamlessly with pop sensibilities, helping her edge past the other nominees.
Personal and professional milestones
The award came just days after Tyla celebrated her 24th birthday, adding a personal milestone to an already remarkable career moment. She was not present at the pre-telecast ceremony where the award was initially announced but later graced the Grammy red carpet in a custom Dsquared2 gown, showing off her signature style.
From “Water” to “PUSH 2 START”
“PUSH 2 START” follows the path Tyla carved with her breakout hit “Water”, which earned her the first Grammy in this category in 2024. That early recognition launched her onto the global stage, introducing audiences worldwide to her signature fusion of amapiano and pop.
Since then, Tyla has continued to refine her sound, balancing innovative beats with melodies that resonate across borders. Her second Grammy win confirms that she is not just a rising star but a leading voice in shaping the future of African music globally.
A new benchmark for African artists
Tyla’s historic achievement sends a message to the music world: African artists are not only influencing global trends but also setting records of their own. With two Grammys before turning 25, Tyla is fast becoming a blueprint for young African talent looking to break onto the international stage, all while staying true to the sounds of home.
Her journey from Johannesburg studios to the Grammy stage demonstrates the power of music to transcend borders and culture, and it signals exciting times ahead for South African and African music worldwide.
{Source: IOL}
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