South African singer Tyla celebrated a major milestone at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) by winning the Best Afrobeats award, a category dominated by Nigerian artists including Burna Boy, Tems, Rema, Asake, and Ayra Starr.
Held on November 10 at the Co-op Arena, the event marked its 30th edition, spotlighting global music talent and honoring breakout acts. 
Alongside her Best Afrobeats win, Tyla also took home the awards for Best R&B and Best African Act, underscoring her impressive impact on the music scene.
In an emotional acceptance speech, Tyla brought her sister, Sydney Seethal, on stage and expressed her gratitude, saying, “Oh my gosh, guys… I can’t believe it. All the nominees… they literally have taken Afrobeats so far.
And I’m so honored to be winning this award.” She thanked her family, her fans (the “Tygers”), and God for supporting her journey, acknowledging that “Afrobeats has opened so many doors for African music.”
While Nigerian Afrobeats legends may have missed this year’s award, fans remain supportive, knowing their favorite artists continue to push boundaries and will return even stronger in the future.
