South African singer Tyla Seethal emerged as one of the standout winners at the 52nd American Music Awards, securing two trophies at the ceremony held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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The 24-year-old artist took home Best Afrobeats Artist, beating Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Rema, as well as Ghanaian-American singer MOLIY in the fan-voted category.
The 24-year-old artist took home Best Afrobeats Artist, beating Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Rema, as well as Ghanaian-American singer MOLIY in the fan-voted category.
She also claimed Social Song of the Year for her 2025 hit “CHANEL,” making her the only African artist to win on the night.
The 52nd American Music Awards ceremony took place on Monday and was hosted by Queen Latifah.
Tyla entered the evening as the most-nominated African artist in AMAs history with four nods, including Best Female R&B Artist and Best Music Video for “CHANEL.”
Although she was not present to accept the awards in person, the double victory marks a significant milestone in her international breakthrough.
Released in October 2025, “CHANEL” has achieved massive commercial success, surpassing 320 million streams on Spotify and topping charts in multiple territories.
It ranks among her biggest tracks to date, following her 2023 global breakout single “Water,” which cracked the top 10 in South Africa, the UK, and the US.
Tyla’s continued success in the Afrobeats category has also intensified online discussions about the genre-blending nature of her music, which fuses amapiano, pop, R&B, and Afrobeats elements.
Other notable winners BTS for Artist of the Year, Sabrina Carpenter for Album of the Year forMan’s Best Friend, and HUNTR/X’s Golden featuring EJAE, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami won Song of the Year.
Artist of the Year: BTS New Artist of the Year: KATSEYE Album of the Year: Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend Song of the Year: HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden” Collaboration of the Year: PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – “Stateside” Social Song of the Year: Tyla – “CHANEL” Best Music Video: KATSEYE – “Gnarly” Best Soundtrack: KPop Demon Hunters
Tour of the Year: Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour Breakout Tour (New): Benson Boone – American Heart World Tour Breakthrough Album (New): Zara Larsson – Midnight Sun Song of the Summer (New): BTS – “SWIM”
Best Male Pop Artist: Justin Bieber Best Female Pop Artist: Sabrina Carpenter Breakthrough Pop Artist: KATSEYE Best Pop Album: Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend Best Pop Song: HUNTR/X – “Golden”
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Cardi B Best Hip-Hop Song: Cardi B – “ErrTime” Best Hip-Hop Album: Cardi B – AM I THE DRAMA?
Best Male R&B Artist: Bruno Mars Best Female R&B Artist: SZA Breakthrough R&B Artist: Leon Thomas Best R&B Song: Bruno Mars – “I Just Might” Best R&B Album: Bruno Mars – The Romantic
Best Male Country Artist: Morgan Wallen Best Female Country Artist: Ella Langley Best Country Album: Megan Moroney – Cloud 9
Best Male Latin Artist: Bad Bunny Best Female Latin Artist: Shakira Best Latin Album: KAROL G – Tropicoqueta
Best Rock/Alternative Artist: Twenty One Pilots Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist: sombr Best Rock/Alternative Album: sombr – I Barely Know Her
Best Dance/Electronic Artist: David Guetta Best K-Pop Female Artist: TWICE Best K-Pop Male Artist: BTS Best Americana/Folk Artist: Noah Kahan
