Tyla wins Best Afrobeats at the 2025 MTV VMAs, beating Nigerian stars like Burna Boy, Tems, Rema, and Wizkid in a stacked category

Tyla wins Best Afrobeats at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, pulling off a major upset in one of the night’s most competitive categories.

Also read: Enugu Patriots back EFCC in Sujimoto fraud case

The South African star’s hit “Push 2 Start” beat Nigerian heavyweights Burna Boy, Tems, Rema, Wizkid, and Asake in what fans are calling the hardest-fought Afrobeats category in VMA history.

Her victory came during Sunday night’s star-studded ceremony held at UBS Arena in New York, hosted by LL Cool J and broadcast live across CBS, MTV, and Paramount+.

The win for Tyla wins Best Afrobeats marks a significant moment for South Africa in a genre long dominated by West African talent.

Fans online reacted with both surprise and celebration, with many praising the global appeal of “Push 2 Start” and Tyla’s undeniable rise since her breakout single “Water.”

Other major wins on the night included Lady Gaga, who emerged the biggest winner with four awards, including Artist of the Year.

Ariana Grande took home Video of the Year for “Brighter Days Ahead,” while Sabrina Carpenter swept Album of the Year and Best Pop Artist with Short n’ Sweet.

Veteran icons Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, and Ricky Martin were also honored with career achievement awards and delivered memorable live performances.

The 2025 MTV VMAs solidified Tyla’s place on the global music map and highlighted the growing diversity within Afrobeats.