Tyla continues to dominate Afrobeats headlines after securing another “Best Afrobeats” award at the VMA ceremony. The South African star has now beaten out heavyweights like Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy two years in a row, proving her rise in global music is no fluke.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!But what caught fans’ attention is the ongoing debate on whether Wizkid’s global influence helped open the doors for female Afrobeats stars like Tyla and Tems.
Did Wizkid Really Influence Tyla and Tems’ Global Success?
Many Nigerian fans on social media argue that Wizkid’s 2016 global breakout with “One Dance” alongside Drake created a spotlight for African acts in mainstream pop.
Tems benefitted from Wizkid’s Essence, which introduced her to the world. Tyla, coming from South Africa, has stepped into that same global space and is now carrying her own wave.
So while Wizkid may not have directly handed Tyla the spotlight, his influence is often seen as a pathway that made global acceptance easier for female Afrobeats stars.
How Many VMA Awards Has Tyla Won?
Tyla now has two consecutive “Best Afrobeats” VMA wins. This is a huge achievement, considering she is competing against Nigerian Afrobeats heavyweights with years of global presence.
Her breakout single “Water” skyrocketed her into international stardom, and since then she has consistently gained recognition at award shows.
Did Tyla Win a Grammy Before Davido?
Yes. Tyla shocked many when she won “Best African Performance” at the Grammys before Davido could secure one. This sparked debates online, with fans divided over whether she deserved it or if the recording academy overlooked Nigerian stars.
YoungJonn and Wizkid’s “Cash Flow” on Billboard
While Tyla was celebrating her VMA win, YoungJonn and Wizkid’s collaboration “Cash Flow” made a strong entry at #5 on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs Chart.
This shows Wizkid’s continued relevance and ability to push new music into the global conversation, even as debates around Tyla’s dominance continue.
Why Do Fans Say Tyla Is Winning Over Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy?
The simple reason is award recognition. In the past two years:
Tyla has collected a Grammy and multiple VMAs. Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy have all been nominated but missed out on some of these newer award categories.
This has made it seem like Tyla is outshining the “Big 3” in the award scene, even though the Nigerian stars still dominate streaming numbers, concerts, and global tours.
