South African sensation Tyla took home the prestigious Global Impact Award at the Billboard’s R&B No.1s 2024, cementing her status as a rising global star.
Tyla, known for her signature Amapiano-infused sound, received a rousing introduction from Billboard’s Senior R&B, Hip-Hop, and Afrobeats writer, Heran Mamo, who praised the singer’s meteoric rise and her ability to take African music to the world stage.
Mamo introduced Tyla by highlighting her remarkable achievements, including her massive hit “Water,” which dominated the charts.
The track spent eight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and 46 weeks on the US Afrobeats Songs chart, making her a record-breaking artist in the genre.
She also earned the Best African Music Performance Grammy earlier this year.
In her emotional acceptance speech, Tyla expressed deep gratitude to her team, family, and fans.
“Thank you so much, Billboard. Thank you to my team, my label, my family, God, and my Tigers,” she said.
Overwhelmed by the honor, Tyla reflected on how her dream once seemed unattainable, especially as an artist from South Africa.
“The fact that I’m able to be here today and just live out a dream that never felt real is just such a beautiful thing,” she shared.
Tyla also used the moment to emphasize the cultural significance of her music, noting that African music is not just a trend but a reflection of deep-rooted culture.
“It’s not just a trend, it’s not just a dance move… it’s culture,” she passionately stated, thanking her fans for embracing African music and its global influence.
With her chart-topping success and continued dedication to representing African culture on the world stage, Tyla’s win at Billboard’s R&B No.1s 2024 solidifies her place as one of the most influential artists of her generation.
