Tyla Wins Big at the MTV EMAs

Tyla’s fairytale year got even better on Sunday evening as she made history as the first African artist to win three awards in a single night at the MTV European Music Awards (EMAs). The South African singer won the awards for Best Afrobeats, Best African Act and Best R&B.

Joined by her sister Sydney, Tyla accepted the award for Best Afrobeats and her speech was far less controversial than the last time she won a similar award. “I’m so honored to be winning this award,” she said, sidestepping any talk about whether she’s an Afrobeats artist or not. “Thank you to Afrobeats. You know, Afrobeats has opened so many doors for African music,” she added, perhaps cleverly alluding to the fact that African music isn’t only Afrobeats.

Considering how she’s dominated Africa-related categories at western award shows, Tyla’s Best Afrobeats and Best African Act wins were expected. The Best R&B win, however, was surprising. Tyla won the category over several American R&B stars, including SZA and Usher.

“I’m just as shocked as you guys,” she admitted after the Best R&B win was announced. “I know it’s just so hard to categorize my music. I literally mix so many different genres into one, but R&B is a huge influence on my music; especially Aaliyah, she’s one of my idols.”

Notably, Tyla’s outfit to the EMAs was a blue version of the Roberto Cavalli dress Aaliyah wore to the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000.

Tyla’s wins in Afrobeats and R&B will no doubt continue conversations about her style of music, but that won’t dampen the shine of her big night which, in addition to her awards, included a stellar medley performance of the Grammy-winning “Water” and “PUSH 2 START,” the single off the recent deluxe version of her eponymous debut album.

Below is a list of some of the winners. You can check out the full list of winners here.

Best Afrobeats

Tyla – WINNER

Asake

Ayra Starr

Burna Boy

Rema

Tems

Best African Act

Tyla – WINNER

Ayra Starr

Asake

Diamond Platnumz

DBN Gogo

TitoM & Yuppe

Best R&B

Tyla – WINNER

Kehlani

SZA

Tinashe

Usher

Victoria Monét

Best New Artist

Benson Boone – WINNER

Ayra Starr

Tyla

Chappell Roan

LE SSERAFIM

Teddy Swims

The Last Dinner Party

Best Song

Sabrina Carpenter – ‘Espresso’ – WINNER

Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)”

Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things”

Beyoncé – “Texas Hold ‘Em”

Billie Eilish – “Birds Of A Feather”

Chappell Roan – “Good Luck, Babe!”

Best Artist

Taylor Swift – WINNER

Beyoncé

Billie Eilish

Post Malone

RAYE

Sabrina Carpenter

Best Pop

Ariana Grande – WINNER

Billie Eilish

Camila Cabello

Charli xcx

Dua Lipa

Sabrina Carpenter

Taylor Swift

Best Hip-Hop

Eminem – WINNER

Central Cee

Kendrick Lamar

Megan Thee Stallion

Nicki Minaj

Travis Scott