South African Star Tyla Dominates 2026 AMAs With Double Victory

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South African singer Tyla recorded a major milestone in her career after winning two awards at the 52nd American Music Awards held in Las Vegas.

The 24-year-old performer emerged winner of the Best Afrobeats Artist category, defeating Nigerian heavyweights Burna Boy, Wizkid and Rema, alongside Ghanaian-American singer MOLIY.

She also claimed the Social Song of the Year award for her hit single CHANEL, making her the only African artist to secure multiple wins at the event.

The ceremony, hosted by Queen Latifah, took place on Monday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Before the awards night, Tyla had already set a record as the African act with the highest number of AMA nominations after receiving four nods, including Best Female R&B Artist and Best Music Video.

Although she did not attend the event physically, her victories further cemented her growing global reputation.

Released in late 2025, “CHANEL” has continued to gain momentum internationally, earning hundreds of millions of streams and performing strongly across several music charts.

The success follows the impact of her breakout single Water, which became a worldwide hit in 2023 and introduced her sound to mainstream audiences across multiple countries.

Tyla’s recognition in the Afrobeats category has continued to spark conversations among fans online, with many debating the fusion of amapiano, R&B, pop and Afrobeats influences in her music.

Other stars who recorded major wins during the ceremony included BTS, who won Artist of the Year, and Sabrina Carpenter, whose project secured Album of the Year honours.

Full list of major winners

Artist of the Year: BTS

New Artist of the Year: KATSEYE

Album of the Year: Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend

Song of the Year: HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”

Collaboration of the Year: PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – “Stateside”

Social Song of the Year: Tyla – “CHANEL”

Best Music Video: KATSEYE – “Gnarly”

Best Soundtrack: KPop Demon Hunters

Tour of the Year: Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour

Breakout Tour (New): Benson Boone – American Heart World Tour

Breakthrough Album (New): Zara Larsson – Midnight Sun

Song of the Summer (New): BTS – “SWIM”

Selected category winners

Pop

Best Male Pop Artist: Justin Bieber

Best Female Pop Artist: Sabrina Carpenter

Breakthrough Pop Artist: KATSEYE

Best Pop Album: Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend

Best Pop Song: HUNTR/X – “Golden”

Afrobeats

Best Afrobeats Artist: Tyla

Hip-Hop

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Cardi B

Best Hip-Hop Song: Cardi B – “ErrTime”

Best Hip-Hop Album: Cardi B – AM I THE DRAMA?

R&B

Best Male R&B Artist: Bruno Mars

Best Female R&B Artist: SZA

Breakthrough R&B Artist: Leon Thomas

Best R&B Song: Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”

Best R&B Album: Bruno Mars – The Romantic

Country

Best Male Country Artist: Morgan Wallen

Best Female Country Artist: Ella Langley

Best Country Album: Megan Moroney – Cloud 9

Latin

Best Male Latin Artist: Bad Bunny

Best Female Latin Artist: Shakira

Best Latin Album: KAROL G – Tropicoqueta

Rock/Alternative

Best Rock/Alternative Artist: Twenty One Pilots

Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist: sombr

Best Rock/Alternative Album: sombr – I Barely Know Her

Other categories

Best Dance/Electronic Artist: David Guetta

Best K-Pop Female Artist: TWICE

Best K-Pop Male Artist: BTS

Best Americana/Folk Artist: Noah Kahan 

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#Tyla

#Rema