South African pop star Tyla has further cemented her place in Grammy history after clinching the Best African Music Performance award at the 68th Grammy Awards, thanks to her chart-topping single “Push 2 Start.”
With the latest win, the 24-year-old becomes the first artist to secure the category twice, a milestone that signals her rising influence beyond the African continent.
Her victory stood out in a highly competitive field that featured some of Africa’s biggest names, including Burna Boy with Love, Davido featuring Omah Lay on With You, Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin’s Hope & Love, and Ayra Starr alongside Wizkid on Gimme Dat. Despite the stiff competition, Tyla emerged as the clear favourite on the night.
The Best African Music Performance category was introduced by the Recording Academy in 2024 as part of efforts to properly recognise African sounds and their growing global impact.
Tyla won the inaugural award with her viral breakout hit “Water,” while Nigeria’s Tems followed in 2025 with “Love Me Jeje.” With Tyla’s latest triumph, the category has now been dominated by female artists for three consecutive years.
Beyond the trophy, the trend highlights the powerful role African women continue to play in shaping contemporary global music. From streaming platforms to major award stages, their voices are increasingly setting the pace.
The creation of the category itself marked a major shift in African representation at the Grammys. For many years, African artists were largely grouped under the broad “world music” label. The new category allows African music to stand on its own, reflecting its commercial success, cultural depth, and worldwide appeal.
Tyla is now a 2x #GRAMMYs winner.
2024 – Best African Music Performance (Water)
2026 – Best African Music Performance (Push 2 Start) https://t.co/ZAwYbTkmyo pic.twitter.com/fdOzBhiROD— Purp Kulture (@purpkulture) February 1, 2026
Born Tyla Laura Seethal, the singer shot to international prominence in 2023 when “Water” became a global sensation, dominating social media, especially TikTok, and introducing her sound to a worldwide audience.
The success of the track opened doors on the global stage and positioned her as one of Africa’s most exciting pop exports.
Signed to Epic Records, Tyla has continued her upward run with a series of well-received releases, including “Rush,” “Push 2 Start,” and “Channel.” Her growing collection of awards and nominations points to a career that is gathering speed rather than slowing down.
With two Grammy wins already secured, Tyla is not just pushing African pop to new heights globally; she is also setting a fresh standard for the next generation of artists from the continent.