Tyla Makes History at American Music Awards With Double Win

South African music sensation Tyla has once again placed African music on the global stage after securing two major wins at the 52nd edition of the American Music Awards in Las Vegas.

The Johannesburg-born superstar stunned fans and critics after winning Best Afrobeats Artist and Social Song of the Year for her smash hit “Chanel.” With the victories, Tyla became the only African artiste to win at this year’s ceremony and also made history as the first international artist to claim the Social Song of the Year category.

Tyla defeated African heavyweights Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema and MOLIY to retain her dominance in the Best Afrobeats category. The win further strengthened her position as one of the fastest-rising global stars from Africa.

Her chart-topping single “Chanel” has become a worldwide anthem since its release in October 2025. The empowering Afrobeats and amapiano-inspired record reportedly crossed more than 354 million Spotify streams while dominating international streaming charts. The song also reached over 4.18 million daily streams on Spotify Global, surpassing the peak numbers previously achieved by her breakout hit “Water.”

The success of “Chanel” pushed Tyla into another historic moment after she became the first African artist to record multiple Top 10 hits on the Spotify Global chart. Music analysts say the achievement highlights the growing influence of African music across mainstream global markets.

Tyla entered the AMAs as the most nominated African act in the award show’s history with four nominations. Besides her winning categories, “Chanel” also earned nominations for Best Music Video and Best Female R&B Artist, proving the singer’s crossover appeal beyond Afrobeats.

The 24-year-old first captured international attention in 2023 with her viral smash “Water,” a genre-blending hit that fused R&B with South African amapiano rhythms. The song exploded on TikTok and other social platforms before breaking into the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. That success launched her self-titled debut album and transformed her into one of Africa’s biggest global exports.

Tyla’s latest AMA triumph adds to a growing list of international achievements. She previously won a Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance with “Water” and also secured consecutive MTV Video Music Awards wins for Best Afrobeats Video.

Although Tyla did not attend the ceremony physically, her victories quickly dominated conversations across social media. Fans across Africa celebrated the milestone as another breakthrough moment for Afrobeats and amapiano on the global stage.

The star now heads into the 2026 BET Awards with two nominations, including a historic Video of the Year nod. Industry watchers believe the singer’s momentum could deliver even bigger milestones in the months ahead.

The 2026 American Music Awards, hosted by Queen Latifah at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, also featured performances from BTS, KATSEYE, Teyana Taylor and Billy Idol. BTS emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners after taking home Artist of the Year and two additional awards.

As African music continues to dominate international charts and award stages, Tyla’s double AMA victory marks another defining moment for the continent’s entertainment industry. For many fans, her success represents more than personal achievement. It signals a new era where African stars are no longer breaking into the global market but leading it.

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