There’s A Tendency To Group Every African Artist Under The Afrobeats Umbrella – Tyla

Popular South African singer, Tyla has become the first African female artiste to win the Best Afrobeats Award at MTV VMAs 2024.

She recently described her win as special but also bittersweet, because she represents Amapiano.

According to her, even if the genre has opened many doors for for African talents all across the continent, African music is so diverse and not limited to Afrobeats in any way.

Tyla added that there is clear a tendency to group all African artists under Afrobeats, and that should not be the case.

Her words, “African music is so diverse, and more than just Afrobeats.

Thank you. MTV, my team, God, everyone, this is such a big moment for Africa. African music, guys. The global impact that Water has had on the world proves African music can also be pop music.

This is so special but also bittersweet, because I know there’s a tendency to group African artists under Afrobeats. It’s a thing and though Afrobeats has run things and has opened many doors for us, African music is so diverse, it’s more than just Afrobeats.

I come from South Africa. I represent amapiano. I represent my culture. I want to shout out to all the Afrobeats artists in this category with me.

Shout out to Tems, Ayra Starr, shout out to Lojay, Rema, Whiskey, Burna Boy, all of us — and yeah, I love you guys, Africa to the world!”

WOW.