“We’re more than just one Sound!” — Tyla blasts MTV VMAs

South African sensation Tyla made waves at the 2024 MTV VMAs after winning Best Afrobeats Song, but her acceptance speech wasn’t all about celebration. While acknowledging Afrobeats’ global dominance, Tyla took a bold stand, addressing the Western music industry’s habit of lumping all African music under one label.

In a heartfelt speech, Tyla celebrated the success of her chart-topping hit “Water,” which has resonated with audiences around the world.

However, she expressed a sense of frustration with the industry’s narrow view of African music.

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“The impact that ‘Water’ has had on the world proves that African music can be pop music, too. This is so special but also bittersweet,” she began, before addressing the issue head-on.

“There’s a tendency to group all African artists under Afrobeats, and while Afrobeats has run things and opened so many doors for us, African music is so diverse. It’s more than just Afrobeats,” Tyla stated, highlighting the continent’s wide range of musical styles.

Tyla took pride in her South African roots, emphasizing that she represents Amapiano, a genre that has gained significant international recognition but is often overlooked in mainstream music discussions.

“I come from South Africa, I represent Amapiano. I present my culture,” she asserted, making it clear that she refuses to let her music be miscategorized.

The South African star also took a moment to recognize her fellow nominees, including Afrobeats heavyweights Tems, Ayra Starr, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Rema, and Lojay, giving them their due credit while making the distinction that African music cannot be confined to one genre.

“Shout out to all the Afrobeats artists in this category with me,” Tyla said, celebrating their contributions but reaffirming that African music is as rich and varied as the continent itself.

Tyla’s powerful words are part of a broader conversation within the African music scene, where artists from different regions and genres are increasingly vocal about the need for proper representation and recognition of their unique sounds.

While Afrobeats continues to dominate the global stage, other African genres like Amapiano, Kwaito, Gqom, and Highlife are gaining momentum and carving out their own space in the international music landscape.

Will this spark a shift in how the global industry views African music? Tyla’s powerful words are already making waves!