South African singer Tyla added another milestone to her rising career on Sunday night after winning Best Afrobeats at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards held at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
The 22-year-old star, who broke through globally with her hit “Water,” has continued to push Afrobeats onto the world stage. Her win highlights the genre’s growing influence at major international award shows.
While Tyla celebrated her big night, US pop star Ariana Grande took home the evening’s top honor, Video of the Year, for “Brighter Days Ahead.” The song also won Best Pop Song, with Grande thanking her fans for being “fiercely loving and supportive” as she grew both as an artist and as a person.
Lady Gaga, 39, interrupted her tour to accept the Artist of the Year award, defeating Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd. She also shared a win with Bruno Mars in Best Collaboration for “Die with a Smile.”
K-pop star Rose, formerly of Blackpink, claimed Song of the Year for “APT,” co-written with Mars, while Sabrina Carpenter earned Album of the Year for “Short n’ Sweet.”
The show blended nostalgia and fresh energy, with performances from Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, and Busta Rhymes, alongside younger acts like Doja Cat and Tate McRae.
Despite entering the night with several nominations, Kendrick Lamar, who recently dominated the Grammys, left without a single award.
The 2025 VMAs, unlike last year’s politically charged edition, avoided campaign talk and kept its focus squarely on music and celebration of artists.
