Fans and industry insiders question the credibility of the awards as South African Amapiano star wins over top Nigerian artists.
The Nigerian social media scene is in an uproar after MTV Base made the controversial decision to name South African singer Tyla as the Best Afrobeats Artist of 2024. Tyla’s hit single, “Water,” beat out major tracks from Nigerian heavyweights such as Burna Boy’s “City Boy,” Ayra Starr’s “Last Heartbreak Song,” Tems’ “Love Me Jeje,” and the collaboration between Davido, Lojay, and Chris Brown on “Sensational.”
The announcement has sparked widespread disbelief, with many Nigerians questioning the credibility of the award and MTV Base’s understanding of the Afrobeats genre. Despite Tyla’s humble acceptance of the award, the backlash has been swift, with critics accusing the organizers of misrepresenting the Afrobeats category. Some, however, praised Tyla for her respectful acknowledgment of the other nominees during her speech.
In a viral moment, Tyla took to the stage to correct the show’s organizers, clarifying that she is a South African artist and not an Afrobeats performer. She identified herself as an Amapiano singer—a genre originating from South Africa and gaining global recognition—further fueling the debate about her eligibility for the award.
During her speech, Tyla also gave a heartfelt shoutout to the Nigerian artists she bested, including Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Tems, Lojay, and Pheelz, praising their contributions to the music industry.
This is not the first time Tyla has caused a stir by winning over Nigerian stars; earlier this year, she won the Grammy for Best African Music Performance of 2024, triumphing over major names like Davido, Asake, Olamide, and Burna Boy.
As the debate rages on, many continue to question MTV Base’s criteria for the award and the distinction between Afrobeats and Amapiano.
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