In a night that underscored the unstoppable rise of African music on the global stage, South African music sensation Tyla walked away from the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards with her second consecutive Best Afrobeats award, this time for her infectious hit “PUSH 2 START.”
This is her second Moonman in the Afrobeats category, marking a historic achievement for the 23-year-old Johannesburg-born artist who continues to break barriers and challenge perceptions about African music’s place in the global pop landscape.
The victory, announced Monday morning, represents more than just personal triumph for Tyla. Released as part of the deluxe edition of her self-titled debut album, PUSH 2 START blends Afrobeats grooves with pop, R&B, and reggae influences, showcasing the genre’s versatility and cross-cultural appeal that has captivated audiences worldwide.
The significance of Tyla’s win extends far beyond individual accolades. Afrobeats continues to stake its claim on the global stage as the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) roll out a powerhouse lineup of nominees in the Best Afrobeats category—a reflection of the genre’s explosive growth and cultural dominance over the past year.
This year’s nominations read like a who’s who of African musical royalty, featuring Nigerian superstars Asake, Burna Boy, Rema, Tems, and Ayra Starr alongside Tyla. Their collective presence across multiple VMA categories signals a seismic shift in the music industry‘s recognition of African artistry.
What makes Tyla’s achievement particularly noteworthy is her status as a trailblazer within the category itself. The Afrobeats category was first introduced to the VMAs in 2023 and was given to Rema and Selena Gomez. Tyla is the first solo act to win the award. Her previous victory came with “Water,” the breakout hit that first catapulted her to international stardom.
The red carpet at New York’s UBS Arena on Monday night served as a perfect backdrop for this historic moment, with Tyla making a stunning appearance in a vintage Chanel dress from the 1990s, embodying the perfect fusion of classic glamour and contemporary African excellence.
Industry observers note that Tyla’s consecutive wins represent more than entertainment success—they signal a fundamental shift in how global audiences consume and appreciate African music. Its relatable lyrics about attraction and connection struck a chord with fans worldwide, making it one of Tyla’s most celebrated tracks to date.
The broader implications of this African music renaissance cannot be overstated. From Lagos to Johannesburg, from Accra to Cape Town, artists are finding that their authentic sounds are not just being tolerated on international stages but actively celebrated and rewarded.
As social media erupts with congratulatory messages from fans across continents, Tyla’s victory serves as both a celebration and a catalyst. Her success story—from local South African talent to back-to-back MTV VMA winner—provides a roadmap for emerging African artists while simultaneously elevating the continent’s cultural soft power.
The 2025 VMAs will undoubtedly be remembered as a watershed moment for African music’s global trajectory, with Tyla’s “PUSH 2 START” serving as both anthem and declaration: African music isn’t just participating in the global conversation—it’s leading it.
For an industry that has historically marginalized African voices, the ceremony represented a long-overdue recognition that the future of popular music is increasingly being written with African hands, sung with African voices, and danced to African rhythms.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Tyla’s back-to-back MTV VMA wins for Best Afrobeats—first with “Water” in 2024, now “PUSH 2 START” in 2025—mark a historic milestone as the first solo artist to claim this category twice. Her success, alongside nominations for fellow African stars like Burna Boy, Rema, and Tems, signals that African music has definitively moved from the margins to the mainstream of global pop culture.
This isn’t just about individual achievement—it’s proof that Afrobeats and African artistry are now driving the future of international music, not just participating in it.
