South African music star Tyla has made history at the 2026 American Music Awards after securing two major wins at the ceremony held in Las Vegas.
The singer emerged victorious in the Best Afrobeats Artist category, where she competed against some of Africa’s biggest names, including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, and Moliy.
She also clinched the fan-voted Social Song of the Year award for her hit single “Chanel,” making her the only African artiste to win at the 52nd edition of the awards.
Tyla entered the ceremony as the most nominated African act in AMA history, with four nominations highlighting her rapid rise on the global music stage.
Released in October 2025, “Chanel” became a worldwide commercial success, dominating streaming platforms and reportedly surpassing 320 million streams on Spotify. The track also earned nominations for Best Music Video and Best Female R&B Artist.
The Johannesburg-born singer first gained international attention in 2023 with her breakout single “Water,” which fused R&B with South Africa’s Amapiano sound. The song went viral on social media and later entered the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100, propelling her into global stardom.
Her AMA success adds to an already impressive list of international achievements, including a Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance for “Water” and multiple MTV Video Music Awards wins in 2024 and 2025.
Tyla is also set to appear at the 2026 BET Awards in June, where she has received two nominations, including a historic nod for Video of the Year.
Reports further suggest that the singer is currently working on her second studio album, expected for release in July.
