South African breakout star Tyla has claimed a major win on the global stage, taking home the Best Afrobeats award at the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs). In a highly competitive category, she edged out some of Afrobeats’ biggest names — Asake, Tems, Wizkid, and Rema — to clinch the prestigious honor.
The award ceremony took place on May 27, 2025, at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, and marked a defining moment in Tyla’s meteoric rise to global recognition.
Each nominee brought formidable work to the table:
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Asake earned his nod for his critically acclaimed third album, Lungu Boy
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Tems was nominated off the back of her powerful debut LP, Born In The Wild
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Rema secured his place with the release of his highly anticipated sophomore album, HEIS
Despite the fierce competition, Tyla’s boundary-breaking sound and international appeal saw her take the spotlight.
The night was hosted by Jennifer Lopez, returning to AMA duties a decade after her first stint as host in 2015. J.Lo also hit the stage as one of the night’s standout performers, alongside music legends like Janet Jackson, Gwen Stefani, Rod Stewart, and rising star Benson Boone.
While Tyla scored a key win for the Afrobeats genre, the biggest victor of the night was Billie Eilish, who walked away with an impressive six awards, including Artist of the Year and Song of the Year.
Tyla’s win signals a broader shift in the global music scene, with African artists continuing to dominate and diversify international charts — and the Best Afrobeats category proving to be one of the most competitive and influential fields at the awards.
