South African singer Tyla has expressed her concern about the widespread categorization of all African music as Afrobeats by the Western world. During her acceptance speech for the Best Afrobeats Song at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, Tyla acknowledged the doors Afrobeats has opened for African artists but emphasized the genre’s limitations in representing the continent’s diverse musical styles.
She highlighted her roots in South Africa and Amapiano, a genre gaining international recognition, while stating:
“The impact that ‘Water’ has had on the world proves that African music can be pop music, too. This is so special but also bittersweet. Because I know there’s a tendency to group all African artists under Afrobeats.”
Tyla continued, expressing the richness of African music beyond just one genre:
“Even though Afrobeats has run things and has opened so many doors for us, African music is so diverse. It’s more than just Afrobeats.”
She wrapped up by giving a shoutout to her peers in the Afrobeats category:
“I come from South Africa, I represent Amapiano… Shout out to all the Afrobeats artists in this category with me. Shout out to all the Afrobeats artistes Tems, Ayra Starr, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Rema and Lojay.”
Tyla’s speech resonates with the growing conversation about Africa’s diverse musical landscape and the need for more nuanced recognition of its genres.
