Africa Rises Again as Tyla Wins Second Grammy

African music continues to gain global recognition as artists from across the continent dominate international award stages. From Afrobeats to Amapiano, African creativity is reshaping the global music industry and strengthening the cultural influence of the African diaspora worldwide.

By Norris R. McDonald

Sulfabittas News Syndicate (@sulfabittas)

 African singer Tyla has cemented her place as one of Africa’s biggest global music stars after winning her second Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance, further extending her record-breaking rise on the world stage.

The 24-year-old Johannesburg-born artist claimed the prize for her hit song “Push 2 Start,” beating a competitive field that included Nigerian superstars Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, and Davido, as well as Ugandan singer Eddy Kenzo. The ceremony took place in Los Angeles, where Tyla expressed pride in representing Africa internationally.

“This is insane, this is so insane! I’m just so lucky to be here, and I’m so proud to be African,” she said after the win. “I’m excited to see more of us over here.”

The award marks Tyla’s second consecutive Grammy victory in the category. She previously won in 2024 for her global smash “Water,” becoming the youngest African artist ever to win a Grammy.

From Viral Videos to Global Stardom

Tyla (born Tyla Laura Seethal, January 30, 2002) first gained major attention in 2021 with the music video for “Getting Late,” which portrayed her as a princess in a visual PAPER magazine described as a “fairy tale.” The video went viral in South Africa and drew early international interest.

She followed up with “Overdue,” featuring Kooldrink and DJ Lag in 2021, and “To Last” in 2022. Her fourth single, “Been Thinking,” released in 2023, garnered millions of views on YouTube—setting the stage for a global breakthrough.

That breakthrough came with “Water,” a sultry popiano track blending pop with amapiano, a South African dance music genre. Featuring the lyrics “Make me sweat, make me hotter / Make me lose my breath, make me water,” the song exploded on TikTok, driven by a viral clip of Tyla pouring water over herself during a bacardi-inspired dance routine choreographed by Lee-ché.

“Water” surged into the Billboard Top 10, earning Tyla the record as the highest-charting African female solo artist in history.

Albums, Awards, and Global Recognition

In 2024, Tyla won the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards and released her self-titled debut album, Tyla. The project debuted at number 24 on the Billboard 200, later followed by a deluxe edition titled Tyla+.

She also delivered standout performances, including an appearance at the 2024 BET Awards in Los Angeles, further solidifying her crossover appeal.

Though Tyla initially announced plans for a 2024 international tour, she later canceled the run due to an injury.

A New Face of African Music

Signed to Epic Records in 2021, Tyla has been widely praised for popularizing African music and dance trends worldwide. She has described her sound as “popiano,” a fusion that has helped bring amapiano to global audiences.

Once briefly considering a future in mining engineering, Tyla instead pursued music relentlessly—posting songs online and reaching out across the industry until she caught the attention of Brandon Hixon, co-founder of New York-based FAX Records, who helped launch her professional career.

With two Grammys, Billboard records, and global recognition to her name, Tyla continues to redefine what’s possible for African artists on the world stage. 

Tyla Dazzles at the Grammy!

Ghetto Life: Struggles, Survival, and Hope in Kingston, Jamaica 

by Patricia N McKenzie RN (Author) 

Ghetto Life: Struggles, Survival, and Hope in Kingston, Jamaica
By Patricia N. McKenzie, RN
options include:

• A Memoir of Poverty, Violence, and Resilience in the Jamaican Capital
• Stories of Faith, Survival, and Triumph in the Urban Ghetto
• 
  From Despair to Determination in Kingston’s Harshest StreetsA powerful and deeply personal reflection on the resilience of a forgotten community, Ghetto Life chronicles the daily battles, survival strategies, and enduring spirit of those living in Kingston’s urban ghettos. From pothole-filled streets to homes lit only by streetlamps, this gripping narrative explores poverty, discrimination, and the overlooked brilliance of people striving for a better life.

Through heartfelt storytelling, Patricia McKenzie honours the unsung heroes—mothers, fathers, students, vendors, and dreamers—who rise above adversity. She paints vivid portraits of community unity, cultural pride, and the pursuit of education against all odds. At once a memoir, a social commentary, and a call to action, this book reminds us: where you come from does not define where you can go.

Perfect for readers of social justice, memoir, Caribbean life, and those who believe in the power of hope.