South African singer Tyla used her acceptance speech at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards for the Best Afrobeats Award to emphasize the diversity of African music, calling for greater recognition beyond just Afrobeats. She stressed that she represents Amapiano and her South African culture, rather than being grouped under the broader Afrobeats label. Her comments sparked a lively discussion on social media, with many praising her for highlighting the importance of acknowledging Africa’s rich musical heritage.
African music diversity
Some observers argued that Africa deserves multiple categories to showcase its diverse sounds.
A fan on X wrote, “Other words, Africa needs more than one category. Yes! On point. Amapiano is our music SA culture, to be honest. Tanzania has it’s own, so is Ghana.”
However, Tyla’s comments also drew criticism from some, including media personality Do2tun, who questioned her decision to accept the award if she felt it didn’t represent her.
“If you thought you were categorized in the wrong category, you should have returned the award or denounced the nomination. You clearly took an award that didn’t represent you,” Do2tun said on his Instagram account.
Afrobeats hybrids
Tyla’s comments reflect a growing trend among younger African artists who are distancing themselves from the Afrobeats genre. Artists like Burna Boy, Rema, and Fireboy DML have embraced new musical identities, exploring sounds beyond the traditional Afrobeats framework. While Afrobeats has undoubtedly played a significant role in popularising African music globally, these stars say it’s essential to acknowledge the continent’s vast musical diversity. On the MTV awards nights, fans praise Tyla for successfully helping to challenge the intense focus on Afrobeats and bringing attention to the many other musical genres that Africa offers.
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