Tyla NAACP Image Award victory for Outstanding International Song sees her surpass Nigerian stars, adding to recent Grammy success
South African singer Tyla has added another prestigious accolade to her growing collection, winning the ‘Outstanding International Song’ category at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles on 26 February 2026.
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The annual ceremony, hosted by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, honours exceptional achievements by artistes of colour across music, film, television, and literature.
Tyla’s triumph came against a formidable lineup of Nigerian music stars, including Burna Boy for his track Love, Davido for With You his collaboration with Omah Lay and Tiwa Savage for You4Me.
Jamaican artiste Skip Marley was also nominated for his song In Our Sight.
The award adds to Tyla’s remarkable streak of international recognition.
A few weeks prior, she claimed the ‘Best African Music Performance’ accolade at the 2026 Grammy Awards, once again edging out notable Nigerian contemporaries.
That category featured Wizkid and Ayra Starr, Ugandan singer Eddy Kenzo, and Mehran Matin for Hope & Love.
Tyla first rose to international prominence in 2024 when she defeated the same cohort of Nigerian artists to secure her very first Grammy award.
Since then, her career has been marked by consistent critical acclaim and a growing global fanbase.
Industry analysts noted that Tyla’s continued success signals the rising influence of South African music on the global stage, particularly in competition with established West African stars.
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The singer’s latest NAACP victory further cements her status as one of Africa’s most influential and award-winning artistes, highlighting both her creative talent and cross-border appeal.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
