The award show, which celebrates outstanding achievements across global music genres, announced Tyla as the winner of the competitive Afrobeats category, where she edged out Nigerian heavyweights Wizkid, Rema, Tems, and Asake.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
South African superstar, Tyla, has made history at the just-concluded 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs) by winning the ‘Favorite Afrobeats Artiste’ category, becoming the first woman to receive the award.
The award show, which celebrates outstanding achievements across global music genres, announced Tyla as the winner of the competitive Afrobeats category, where she edged out Nigerian heavyweights Wizkid, Rema, Tems, and Asake.
The 2025 American Music Awards was held on May 26 at the luxurious Fontainebleau resort in Las Vegas, coinciding with the U.S. Memorial Day celebration. Tyla also scored a nomination in the ‘Favorite Female R&B Artiste’ category, where she stood alongside Kehlani, Muni Long, Summer Walker, and SZA. The award, however, went to SZA.
The ‘Favorite Afrobeats Artiste’ category was introduced in 2022, with Wizkid making history as its first winner. Tyla’s achievement now marks another milestone in the growing global influence of African artistes — and women in particular — on the world stage.
The American Music Awards, established in 1974 by Dick Clark Productions, recognises top musical talents across Pop, Rap, R&B, Afrobeats, Country, Latin, and K-Pop. Nominees are determined by fan interactions including streaming, sales, airplay, and touring, while winners are chosen entirely through fan voting.
Check out the complete list of winners here.