Los Angeles, United States | NOW THEN DIGITAL — South African singer Tyla, known for the viral hit ‘Water,’ secured the inaugural Best African Music Performance Grammy at the 2024 awards. Signed with Epic Records in 2021, Tyla’s success began with her 2019 debut, “Getting Late” featuring Kooldrink. The category was introduced for transparency at the 66th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
Tyla beat Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Davido, Asake, Olamide, and Ayra Starr, marking her first Grammy win. In her speech, she expressed gratitude to God, her team, and the Recording Academy, emphasizing the importance of the category.
Despite leading with four nominations, Burna Boy missed out on wins, including Best African Music. Tyla’s victory added to Burna Boy’s losses in other categories, including Best Global Music Performance and Best Global Album.
Burna Boy performed a medley of hits at the awards alongside US artists Brandy and 21 Savage. Other Nigerian Afrobeats’ nominees also fell short in their respective categories.
2024 #GRAMMYs: @Tyllaaaaaaa wins first-ever #GRAMMY Award for Best African Music Performancehttps://t.co/0hoBBTjJyb
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) February 5, 2024
