South African music star Tyla emerged as one of the biggest winners at the 52nd American Music Awards after securing two major awards during the ceremony held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The 24-year-old singer won the Best Afrobeats Artist category, defeating top African stars including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, and Ghanaian-American artist MOLIY.
Tyla also claimed the Social Song of the Year award for her hit track “CHANEL,” making her the only African artist to win at the 2026 AMAs.
The award ceremony took place on Monday and was hosted by Queen Latifah. Tyla entered the night with four nominations, becoming the most-nominated African artist in AMA history. Her nominations included Best Female R&B Artist and Best Music Video for “CHANEL.”
Although she did not attend the ceremony in person, the double victory further strengthens her growing global influence in the music industry.
Released in October 2025, “CHANEL” became a massive success worldwide, earning more than 320 million Spotify streams and topping charts across several countries. The song followed the success of her breakout global hit “Water,” which previously reached the top 10 charts in South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Tyla’s victory has also reignited conversations online about the evolving sound of Afrobeats, as her music blends amapiano, pop, R&B, and Afrobeats influences into one modern style.
Other major winners on the night included BTS, who won Artist of the Year, while Sabrina Carpenter secured Album of the Year for Man’s Best Friend. The song “Golden” by HUNTR/X featuring EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami won Song of the Year.
Selected Winners at AMA 2026
Major Awards
- 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 featuring EJAE, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami – “Golden”
- Social Song of the Year — Tyla – “CHANEL”
- Tour of the Year — Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour
Afrobeats
- Best Afrobeats Artist — Tyla
Hip-Hop
- Best Male Hip-Hop Artist — Kendrick Lamar
- Best Female Hip-Hop Artist — Cardi B
R&B
- Best Male R&B Artist — Bruno Mars
- Best Female R&B Artist — SZA
Latin
- Best Male Latin Artist — Bad Bunny
- Best Female Latin Artist — Shakira
K-Pop
- Best K-Pop Female Artist — TWICE
- Best K-Pop Male Artist — BTS
The AMAs this year felt like a global music battlefield — Afrobeats, K-pop, Latin, hip-hop, amapiano… everybody came swinging. And Tyla? She walked out carrying the crown Africa was watching closely.
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