South African star Tyla wins second Grammy

Venecia Valentine

South African singer Tyla has added another major achievement to her career, winning her second Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, 1 February, in Los Angeles.

Historic win for African music

The 24-year-old artist received the award for “PUSH 2 START”, a track from the deluxe edition of her self-titled debut album. With this victory, Tyla becomes the first artist to win the Best African Music Performance category twice, following her 2024 win for “Water”.

The category continues to spotlight African music on a global stage, recognising both creative depth and international reach.

From local breakout to global stage

Tyla first gained attention in South Africa for her mix of amapiano influences and pop sound. Her music quickly crossed borders, earning strong international support and industry recognition.

With two Grammy wins, she now joins fellow South African winners such as Black Coffee, Zakes Bantwini and the late Miriam Makeba, reinforcing South Africa’s growing presence in global music conversations.

Strong competition in a global category

The Best African Music Performance category featured a competitive shortlist, including Burna Boy’s “Love”, Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You”, Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s “Gimme Dat”, and Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin’s “Hope and Love”. The nominations reflected the range and reach of contemporary African music.

A birthday celebration to remember

Tyla was not in attendance at the pre-telecast ceremony where the award was announced. She had already been celebrating her birthday in Los Angeles days earlier.

Speaking after the win, she said the Grammy was the best birthday gift she could have asked for. In a lighthearted moment, she said her father would keep the new trophy in his room.

What’s next for Tyla

“PUSH 2 START” continues to gain traction, with a remix featuring Sean Paul, further expanding Tyla’s international audience. The song follows the success of “Water”, which introduced her to a global fanbase.

Tyla also confirmed that her second album, titled A-POP, will be released in summer 2026, marking the next phase of her career.