South African music star Tyla has made history after securing two major wins at the 2026 American Music Awards, becoming the only African artiste to take home awards at this year’s ceremony.
The singer, born Tyla Laura Seethal, won the Best Afrobeats Artist category ahead of top African acts including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, and Moliy.
She also picked up the fan-voted Social Song of the Year award for her hit track “Chanel.”Tyla entered the awards night with four nominations, making her the most nominated African artiste in AMA history.
She was also nominated for Best Music Video and Best Female R&B Artist.
Released in October 2025, “Chanel” has continued to enjoy massive global success, gathering more than 320 million streams on Spotify and topping music charts in several countries.
The Johannesburg-born star first gained international attention in 2023 with her breakout single “Water,” a viral Amapiano and R&B hit that reached the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song also earned her a Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance.Over the years, Tyla has continued her impressive rise on the global stage, winning MTV Video Music Awards for Best Afrobeats Video in both 2024 and 2025.
