South African singer Tyla has won the Favourite Afrobeats Artist award at the 2025 American Music Awards, defeating top Nigerian stars like Asake, Tems, Wizkid, and Rema.
The award show was held on Monday night at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas in the United States.
Tyla, best known for her viral hit song Water, became the first South African and first woman to win the category since it was created in 2022. Nigerian superstar Wizkid, who won the first Afrobeats award at the AMAs, was also nominated again this year.
While accepting the award, Tyla said,“This means the world to me. To be recognized on this stage, alongside legends I admire, is a dream come true. Thank you to everyone who believed in me.”
Her win has again sparked conversations about how African music is labelled in global award shows. This is not the first time Tyla has won an Afrobeats category over Nigerian artists. In 2024, she won Best Afrobeats Music Video at the MTV Video Music Awards for Water, ahead of Burna Boy, Tems, and Ayra Starr.
After that win, Tyla made it clear she does not see herself as an Afrobeats artist.
“This is so special but also bittersweet because I know there’s a tendency to group African artists under Afrobeats,” she said.
“Afrobeats has opened many doors for us, but African music is so diverse — it’s more than just Afrobeats. I represent Amapiano and my culture.”
Her comments caused mixed reactions online. Some fans praised her honesty, while others questioned why she accepted awards in Afrobeats categories if she doesn’t identify with the genre. They argued that such awards should go to artists who help grow Afrobeats directly.
Tyla’s win comes as Afrobeats continues to grow worldwide, led by Nigerian stars like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Rema. Still, Tyla’s popularity — especially with Water trending on TikTok and global music charts — helped her stand out to international voters.
Meanwhile, American pop star Billie Eilish dominated the night with seven awards, including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for Hit Me Hard and Soft. She also won Song of the Year and Favourite Pop Album, among others.
Eminem picked up two awards — his first in 15 years — for Favourite Male Hip-Hop Artist and Favourite Hip-Hop Album (The Death of Slim Shady).
Beyoncé won Favourite Female Country Artist and Favourite Country Album for Cowboy Carter, while Post Malone won Favourite Male Country Artist, marking his first country music award.
The event was hosted by Jennifer Lopez, who returned to host the AMAs for the first time in ten years. She opened the night with a dance performance featuring 23 of the year’s biggest hits.
Rod Stewart received the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by five of his children
“I am absolutely flabbergasted… The reason I got into [music] was because I had this burning ambition to sing. I didn’t want to be rich or famous,” Stewart said during his emotional speech.
FULL LIST OF AMA 2025 WINNERS
Here is the full list of winners at the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs):
- Artist of the Year – Billie Eilish
- New Artist of the Year – Gracie Abrams
- Album of the Year – Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft
- Song of the Year – Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
- Collaboration of the Year – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile
- Social Song of the Year – Doechii – Anxiety
- Favorite Touring Artist – Billie Eilish
- Favorite Music Video – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile
- Favorite Male Pop Artist – Bruno Mars
- Favorite Female Pop Artist – Billie Eilish
- Favorite Pop Album – Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft
- Favorite Pop Song – Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
- Favorite Rock Artist – Twenty One Pilots
- Favorite Rock Album – Twenty One Pilots – Clancy
- Favorite Rock Song – Linkin Park – The Emptiness Machine
- Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist – Eminem
- Favorite Female Hip-Hop Artist – Megan Thee Stallion
- Favorite Hip-Hop Album – Eminem – The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
- Favorite Hip-Hop Song – Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
- Favorite Male Country Artist – Post Malone
- Favorite Female Country Artist – Beyoncé
- Favorite Country Duo/Group – Dan + Shay
- Favorite Country Album – Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter
- Favorite Country Song – Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help
- Favorite Male R&B Artist – The Weeknd
- Favorite Female R&B Artist – SZA
- Favorite R&B Album – The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow
- Favorite R&B Song – SZA – Saturn
- Favorite Dance/Electronic Artist – Lady Gaga
- Favorite Male Latin Artist – Bad Bunny
- Favorite Female Latin Artist – Becky G
- Favorite Latin Duo/Group – Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda
- Favorite Latin Album – Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
- Favorite Latin Song – Shakira – Soltera
- Favorite Soundtrack – Arcane League of Legends: Season 2
- Favorite K-Pop Artist – RM
- Favorite Afrobeats Artist – Tyla
