South African music star Tyla has etched her name deeper into Grammy history after winning Best African Music Performance at the 68th Grammy Awards for her hit single “Push 2 Start.” The win makes her the first artist to claim the category twice, confirming her growing influence on the global music stage.
The Best African Music Performance category was introduced by the Recording Academy in 2024 to recognise the diversity and global impact of African music. Tyla won the inaugural award with her viral breakout hit “Water,” while Nigeria’s Tems took the prize in 2025 with “Love Me Jeje.”
With Tyla’s latest victory, the award has now been won exclusively by female artists for three consecutive years, underscoring the dominant role African women are playing in shaping contemporary global music.
The 2026 category featured stiff competition from some of Africa’s biggest names, including Burna Boy (Love), Davido featuring Omah Lay (With You), Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin (Hope & Love), and Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid (Gimme Dat). Despite the strong field, Tyla emerged as the standout winner.
The creation of the category marked a turning point for African representation at the Grammys. For decades, African artists were largely confined to broad “world music” classifications. The new category allows African music to be recognised on its own terms, reflecting its commercial success, cultural relevance, and global influence.
At just 24 years old, Tyla’s back-to-back wins highlight the Grammys’ growing acknowledgment of a new generation of African artists who are reshaping pop culture beyond the continent.
Born Tyla Laura Seethal, the singer rose to international fame in 2023 after “Water” became a viral hit, dominating social media platforms, particularly TikTok. The song propelled her onto the global stage and established her as a leading voice in African pop.
Signed to Epic Records, Tyla has since released a string of successful singles, including “Rush,” “Push 2 Start,” and “Channel.” Her expanding list of international awards and nominations reflects a career that continues to gain momentum.
With two Grammy wins already to her name, Tyla is not only redefining African pop on the world stage but also setting a new benchmark for emerging artists from the continent.
