SOUTH African superstar Tyla solidified her status as Africa’s leading musical export on the international stage, taking home the Favourite Afrobeats Artist award at the 2025 American Music Awards held Monday night at the glitzy Fontainebleau, Las Vegas.

The 22-year-old ‘Water’ hitmaker outshone a stacked category that featured some of Nigeria’s biggest musical giants Wizkid, Rema, Tems and Asake.

Asake earned his nomination following the success of his third studio album Lungu Boy, while Tems was recognised for her acclaimed debut Born In The Wild.

Rema’s nomination came on the heels of his sophomore release – HEIS – which cemented his place as one of Africa’s most consistent hitmakers

Tyla’s win further cements her trailblazing momentum as the face of a new generation of Afrobeats and Amapiano artists breaking barriers globally.

But the night belonged to Billie Eilish, who swept all seven of her nominated categories, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year, making her the most awarded artist of the evening.

In a surprising twist, fan favourites Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande walked away empty-handed, suffering the night’s biggest snubs despite multiple nominations.

Hip-hop legend Eminem made a notable comeback, winning his first AMA in 15 years. He clinched Favourite Male Hip-hop Artist and Favourite Hip-hop Album, marking a triumphant return to the awards spotlight.

The 2025 American Music Awards once again highlighted the global evolution of music, with artists like Tyla proving that African stars are not only present but they are dominating.