The 24-year-old singer won the category with her track “Push 2 Start,” securing her second Grammy win in the same category. She first made history in 2024 when she won the award at its debut for her breakout global hit “Water,” making her the first artist to receive the honour twice since its introduction.
This latest recognition further cements Tyla’s growing global influence and underscores her status as one of Africa’s most successful young pop exports. Introduced in 2024, the Best African Music Performance category celebrates recordings that highlight African musical expression. The 2025 award was won by Nigerian singer Tems.
Tyla’s success has drawn widespread attention to her ability to blend amapiano, pop, and R&B into a sound that connects strongly with international audiences. “Push 2 Start,” taken from her self-titled debut album Tyla released in 2024, gained major traction through streaming platforms and viral dance trends on social media. The song explores themes of romance and self-assurance while infusing amapiano rhythms with pop appeal.
Other nominees in the category included Burna Boy (Love), Davido featuring Omah Lay (With You), Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid (Gimme Dat), and Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin (Hope & Love).
Beyond this win, Tyla’s journey reflects an impressive rise. Since breaking out from Johannesburg and signing with an international label in 2021, she has reached significant milestones, including a top-25 debut on the Billboard 200 and worldwide chart success with Water.
The 68th Grammy Awards were also a landmark moment for African music more broadly. Legendary Nigerian icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti was posthumously honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award the night before the ceremony, spotlighting Africa’s enduring cultural impact on the global stage.
