2025 MTV NVAs: Tyla beats Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Tems, Asake — South Africa taking over?

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards marked another milestone moment for Afrobeats, as South African breakout star Tyla clinched the award for Best Afrobeats with her hit single “Push 2 Start.” The win cements Tyla’s growing reputation as one of the leading voices driving African music onto the global stage.

The category was one of the most competitive of the night, featuring heavyweight contenders like Asake & Travis Scott’s “Active,” Burna Boy’s “TaTaTa” remix with Travis Scott, Rema’s “Baby (Is It a Crime),” Tems and Asake’s “Get It Right,” Wizkid’s collaboration with Brent Faiyaz on “Piece of My Heart,” and the international remix of Moliy’s “Shake It To The Max (Fly)” featuring Silent Addy, Skillibeng, and Shenseea.

In her acceptance speech, Tyla credited the wave of African artists who paved the way for her success, while thanking her fans worldwide for embracing her music. “This award is not just for me; it’s for every African artist pushing boundaries and showing the world that our sound is here to stay,” she said to loud applause.

Her victory continues the momentum she has been building since the global success of “Water” in 2023, a viral sensation that topped charts and became an anthem for African music’s crossover moment. “Push 2 Start” has further solidified her artistry, blending Afrobeats with pop sensibilities that resonate with a wide audience.

The Afrobeats category itself has become one of the most talked-about sections of the VMAs, underscoring the genre’s undeniable global impact. Artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, Rema, and Asake have consistently carried the torch in recent years, introducing Afrobeats to arenas, festivals, and international charts. Tyla’s win now signals a new wave, with the younger generation stepping into the spotlight.

With Afrobeats gaining more visibility at global award shows, Tyla’s triumph is more than a personal victory—it’s another bold step in the journey of African music asserting itself as a mainstay in the global soundscape.