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Tyla Laura Seethal picked up her second Grammy Award on Sunday night, cementing her rise as one of Africa’s most visible global pop stars.
The 24-year-old won Best African Music Performance at the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles for her song Push 2 Start, taken from the deluxe edition of herself titled album. The ceremony was held at the Crypto.com Arena and hosted by South African comedian Trevor Noah.
Push 2 Start has enjoyed massive global reach, drawing more than 136 million views on YouTube and over 444 million streams on Spotify. The win makes Tyla the only South African artist to take home a Grammy at this year’s ceremony.
She faced stiff competition in the category, which included some of Africa’s biggest names. Among the nominees were Nigeria’s Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Omah Lay and Ayra Starr, alongside Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo.
Moments after her win, an emotional Tyla spoke about what the moment meant to her.
“Guys, first of all, Africa,” she said. “This is insane. I’m just so lucky to be here, and I’m so proud to be African and proud of where I’m from.”
She also reflected on how her music has been received beyond the continent.
“I’ve definitely felt so welcome by the industry and by America,” she said. “I’m grateful to be able to share my music and my culture in places that might not fully understand me yet. I’m excited for people to really get to know me and listen to what’s coming next.”
Tyla’s latest win comes just two years after she made history with her breakout hit Water, which earned her first Grammy in 2024. At the time, she became the youngest African artist to ever win the award, achieving the milestone at just 22.
Since then, her career has moved quickly. The singer has become a regular presence on global charts and international stages, turning viral success into staying power.
On Sunday night, she also revealed that her second studio album, A POP, is set for release later this year, with a June or July window in view.
In a previous interview with Forbes Africa, Tyla described her first Grammy as validation that she was on the right path.
“I am a dreamer,” she said at the time. “There is no dream that is too big for me. This feels like the beginning. There are more Grammys, more hit songs and more amazing things to come for Africa.”
The ceremony also paid tribute to African music history. The late Nigerian icon Fela Kuti was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, 29 years after his death.
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marked the moment with a statement praising Fela’s legacy, describing him as a fearless voice who reshaped global sound and challenged injustice through music.
