South African singer Tyla has become the first recipient of the newly established Best African Music Performance category at the 66th Grammy Awards.
Her song, “Water,” beat out stiff competition from established Nigerian artists Davido (“Unavailable”), Asake (“Amapiano”), Burna Boy (“City Boys”), and Ayra Starr (“Rush”).
Presented at the Grammy Award Premiere Ceremony, the award recognizes excellence in a variety of African musical genres, including Afrobeats, Afropop, and South African Hip Hop.
“I never thought I’d say I won a GRAMMY at 22 years old,” the South African singer said upon accepting the award. “If you don’t know me my name is Tyla, I’m from South Africa and last year God decided to change my whole life.”
“Thank you so much to God. Thank you to my team, my family. I know my mother’s crying somewhere in here. Thank you to the Recording Academy for this category it’s so important and I know I’m forgetting some things but I won a GRAMMY!”
Fellow nominees, Davido and Ayra Starr, took to X to congratulate Tyla.
Congratulations on your win @Tyllaaaaaaa ! Big One for africa! Keep soaring ! 🔥⭐️
— Davido (@davido) February 5, 2024
Congratulations to my babessssss @Tyllaaaaaaa
— Celestial being (@ayrastarr) February 5, 2024
“Water,” released in 2023, became a global hit, reaching the top 10 in 16 countries, including the UK and the US.
