Tyla’s Second Grammy Win Cements Her Place in Music History

Tyla has secured her second Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held on Sunday, February 1, in Los Angeles. This time, the honour goes to “PUSH 2 START”, a standout track from the deluxe edition of her self-titled debut album

With this win, Tyla makes history as the first artist to take home the award twice, following her 2024 triumph with the global smash “Water.” That this latest accolade lands on her 24th birthday feels almost poetic; a reminder that her rise isn’t just rapid, but deeply resonant.

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Tyla makes Grammy history with second African Music Performance win

Although she wasn’t present at the pre-telecast ceremony where the award was announced, Tyla later stepped onto the Grammys red carpet in unmistakable style, wearing a striking archival Dsquared2 gown complete with a dramatic feathered train. Fresh from a star-studded birthday celebration in Los Angeles, she arrived every bit the global pop star—effortless, assured, and wholly herself.

The Best African Music Performance category was fiercely contested, with nominations including Burna Boy’s “Love,” Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You,” Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s “Gimme Dat,” and Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin’s “Hope and Love.” Together, the lineup reflected the depth, diversity, and dynamism of contemporary African music, a space Tyla continues to help redefine.

"PUSH 2 START,” which also features a remix with Jamaican icon Sean Paul, builds seamlessly on the momentum Tyla sparked with “Water.” It’s a sound that travels easily across borders while remaining rooted in rhythm; an instinctive blend of amapiano, pop, and global flair that has become her signature.

Speaking about her win, Tyla shared that she couldn’t have asked for a better birthday gift. In a moment that captured her warmth and relatability, she joked that her father would be keeping the new Grammy in his room, a proud reminder of just how far she’s come.

Born Tyla Seethal in Edenvale, Johannesburg, her journey from local stages to global acclaim has been nothing short of extraordinary. What began as a distinct South African sound has evolved into an international phenomenon, carried by her ability to translate local culture into universal feeling.

With two Grammys now to her name, Tyla joins the lineage of South African greats such as Miriam Makeba, Black Coffee, and Zakes Bantwini, artists whose work has reshaped how the world listens to Africa. Her win isn’t just a personal milestone; it’s a signal that South African music continues to move the global needle, boldly and beautifully.