Tyla’s Grammy Moment: The Rise of a South Arican Global Star

When the Grammy Awards introduced the Best African Music Performance category, it marked a turning point for African music on the world’s biggest stage. Few artists embody that shift more clearly than Tyla, the South African singer whose rise from Johannesburg to Grammy history has reshaped global perceptions of African pop.

Born Tyla Laura Seethal, Tyla emerged as one of the most exciting young voices in contemporary music, blending pop, R&B, and amapiano-inspired rhythms into a sound that feels both distinctly African and globally fluent. Her breakthrough moment came not gradually, but explosively—propelled by a song that crossed borders, charts, and cultures.

The Grammy Breakthrough

Tyla made history in 2024 when her global hit Water won the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance. The win was more than personal success; it was symbolic. She became the first artist ever to win the category, placing South African music at the centre of a new Grammy narrative.

“Water” was already a worldwide phenomenon by the time of the awards. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100, making Tyla the first South African solo artist in over five decades to achieve that feat. Its viral success on streaming platforms and social media introduced amapiano-influenced sounds to a mainstream global audience.

Making Grammy History Again

Rather than being a one-moment success story, Tyla returned to the Grammy stage in 2026 and did it again. Her single “Push 2 Start” earned her a second Best African Music Performance win, making her one of the first artists to achieve multiple victories in the category.

With back-to-back Grammy wins, Tyla established herself not just as a breakout star, but as a defining figure in the globalisation of African music. She also became widely recognised as the youngest African artist to win a Grammy, reinforcing her place as a generational talent.

Beyond the Trophy: Music, Style, and Influence,

Tyla’s Grammy impact extends beyond awards. Her debut album *Tyla* showcased a carefully balanced sound—rooted in Southern African rhythms while embracing international pop sensibilities. Her music resists narrow genre labels, reflecting a new era where African artists are not boxed into “world music” categories but compete confidently in global pop spaces.

At the Grammys, Tyla has also stood out as a fashion and cultural icon, commanding attention on the red carpet and at industry events. Her visibility underscores a broader shift: African artists are no longer guests in global pop culture—they are central players.

Why Tyla’s Grammy Success Matter

Tyla’s rise coincides with a broader institutional recognition of African music at the Grammys. The creation of the *Best African Music Performance* category acknowledged what audiences already knew—that African sounds are shaping global music trends.

But Tyla’s success goes further. She represents a new African artist archetype: young, global, confident, and creatively unrestrained by geography. Her achievements signal opportunity for other artists across the continent, particularly from regions historically underrepresented on the world stage.

From Johannesburg to Los Angeles, Tyla’s Grammy journey tells a larger story—one of African music stepping into its global moment, not as a novelty, but as a dominant cultural force.

A New Face of African Excellence

Tyla’s Grammy wins are not just milestones on a résumé; they are markers of a changing industry. In her music, her movement, and her message, she reflects a generation that no longer asks for recognition—it earns it.

As African music continues its global ascent, Tyla stands firmly at the forefront, proof that the sound of the future is already here—and it speaks with a Southern African rhythm.