- Tyla won her second consecutive Grammy in the same category for “Push 2 Start,” following her 2024 win for “Water”
- The singer praised the recognition as a milestone for African artists, calling for greater global opportunities and representation
- Her historic win signalled growing international acknowledgment of African music and inspired fans and emerging musicians worldwide
South African singer Tyla has made history at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, becoming the first artist to win the same category twice since its inception. The 24-year-old claimed the prestigious accolade at the Crypto.com Arena for her hit single “Push 2 Start.”
This victory marks Tyla’s second Grammy in the same category, following her first win in 2024 for the global sensation “Water.” The milestone cements her status as one of Africa’s most successful international music exports and underscores the growing global influence of African artists.
After receiving the award on Sunday, Tyla spoke to Billboard about what the recognition means not only for her career, but for African musicians worldwide. “I’m so grateful. This is insane. It just shows me how far we can take it. Being from where I’m from, we really have a chance, and that’s just amazing,” she said, visibly emotional.
Tyla also highlighted the importance of creating more opportunities and recognition for African artists on the global stage. “When I was young, I wanted to see my girls getting Grammys and everything, and we’ve got that, but we need more. I’m excited to see the rest of our African superstars who are killing it right now be there as well. We are coming,” she added.
Music analysts say Tyla’s back-to-back win is not only a personal triumph but also a symbolic victory for African music, which has steadily gained international attention over the past decade. Her success reflects the industry’s increasing acknowledgment of diverse sounds and cultural narratives, from Afrobeats to contemporary African pop.
Fans and fellow musicians took to social media to celebrate the milestone, with many praising Tyla for paving the way for emerging African talent. Industry observers note that the singer’s achievements could inspire a new generation of African artists to pursue global recognition.
Tyla’s win is part of a broader trend of African artists gaining prominence on the international stage, following in the footsteps of acts such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tems. Her continued success signals that the world is increasingly receptive to African voices and stories in mainstream music.
As Tyla basks in her historic win, she remains committed to championing African artistry. Her message is clear: with talent, determination, and opportunity, African musicians are poised to take their rightful place on the global music stage.
10 Nigerian albums submitted for 2025 Grammy’s Best Global Music Album nomination
TheRadar earlier reported that the Grammy Awards' Best Global Music Album category remains one of the most competitive, and Nigerian artistes made their official album submissions ahead of the 67th annual awards.
Their submissions are aimed at securing nominations after the first round of voting, which will be announced on November 8, 2024.
The final round of voting for the awards will run from December 12, 2024, to January 3, 2025, while the main award ceremony is scheduled to be held on February 2, 2025.