Tyla Makes History with Double Victory at 2026 American Music Awards

• South African singer Tyla has made history at the 2026 American Music Awards after securing two major wins at the prestigious international music event.

The artiste, whose full name is Tyla Laura Seethal, emerged as the winner of the Best Afrobeats Artist category, defeating leading African music stars including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, and Moliy.

She also won the fan-voted Social Song of the Year award for her hit track, “Chanel,” becoming the only African artiste to receive an award at the 52nd edition of the ceremony.

Tyla entered the awards night as the most nominated African act in American Music Awards history with four nominations, reflecting her growing influence on the global music scene.

Released in October 2025, “Chanel” recorded major commercial success and gained widespread popularity across streaming platforms and international charts. The song reportedly generated more than 320 million streams on Spotify and also received recognition in categories including Best Music Video and Best Female R&B Artist.

The Johannesburg-born singer first gained global attention in 2023 with her breakout hit “Water,” a song that blended contemporary R&B with South African Amapiano sounds.

The track became a viral success across social media and later reached the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100, helping establish her international profile and boosting the success of her debut album.

Her latest achievements add to a growing collection of awards and recognitions, including a Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance for “Water” and MTV Video Music Awards wins for Best Afrobeats Video.

Tyla is also expected to feature prominently at the upcoming 2026 BET Awards after earning two nominations, including a historic recognition in the Video of the Year category.

Reports indicate that the singer is currently preparing for the release of her second studio album scheduled for July.