Tyla makes history as Youngest African Grammy winner

Tyla makes history as youngest African Grammy winner

South African singer Tyla has made history by becoming the youngest African artist to win a Grammy award, at the age of 22. She won the award for Best African Music Performance for her viral hit song “Water” at the 66th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday.

Tyla, whose full name is Tyla Yaweh, rose to fame in 2022 with her debut single “Water”, which blended elements of Afro-pop, R&B, and hip-hop. The song topped the charts in several African countries and received over 100 million streams on Spotify. It also caught the attention of international stars like Drake, Rihanna, and Beyoncé, who praised Tyla for her unique sound and style.

Tyla faced stiff competition in the Best African Music Performance category, which was introduced for the first time this year to recognize the diversity and excellence of African music. She beat out four Nigerian nominees: Davido, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, and ASAKE & Olamide. All of them are well-known and respected in the African music scene, with multiple awards and nominations to their names.

Tyla expressed her gratitude and excitement as she accepted the award, saying: “I never thought I’d say I won a Grammy at 22 years old. Thank you to the Recording Academy for this category. It’s so important. Thank you to my fans, my family, my team, and everyone who supported me. This is for Africa. This is for South Africa. This is for the culture. I love you all.”

Tyla also performed “Water” at the award ceremony, delivering a stunning and energetic performance that showcased her vocal and dancing skills. She was joined by a group of dancers dressed in colorful outfits, who added to the vibrant and festive atmosphere. The audience gave her a standing ovation and cheered her on.

Tyla’s win has been celebrated by many fans and celebrities across Africa and the world, who congratulated her on her achievement and praised her for representing the continent. Some of them took to social media to express their admiration and support, using hashtags like #TylaGrammy, #WaterWins, and #ProudlyAfrican.

Tyla’s win also sparked a friendly rivalry between South Africa and Nigeria, as the two nations are set to face each other in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday. Some fans joked that Tyla’s win was a consolation prize for South Africa, while others said that Nigeria would avenge their loss on the football pitch.

Tyla, however, showed no signs of animosity towards her fellow nominees, and instead congratulated them on their nominations and achievements. She also said that she hoped to collaborate with some of them in the future, and that she was looking forward to more African artists being recognized and celebrated at the Grammys and other global platforms.

Tyla is currently working on her debut album, which is expected to be released later this year. She has also hinted at some upcoming collaborations with international artists, but has not revealed any details yet. She said that she wants to keep surprising and inspiring her fans with her music, and that she hopes to make a positive impact on the world with her voice.