South African singer Tyla continued her award show dominance at the 2024 MTV EMAs, adding “Best Afrobeats Act” and “Best African Act” to her growing trophy collection. Facing stiff competition from Nigerian powerhouses like Asake, Rema, and Tems, Tyla emerged victorious, solidifying her place as a global music force.

In a notable change of tone from her VMA’s acceptance speech, Tyla offered a gracious shout-out to Afrobeats during the EMAs. “Thank you to Afrobeats, It has opened many doors for African music,” she declared on stage, flanked by her younger sister. This comes after her VMAs speech, where she distinguished her music as Amapiano, drawing criticism for downplaying the influence of Afrobeats on her hit single “Water.”

Tyla’s shift in acknowledging Afrobeats is praised by some as a more balanced perspective. While her previous stance highlighted the diversity of African music, her recognition of Afrobeats’ global impact is seen as a well-deserved tribute to the genre’s role in paving the way for African artists.