Tyla made headlines at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards after winning her first VMA for Best Afrobeats Video with her hit “Water.” The South African pop star’s moment of glory included a quirky trophy-handling request that sparked a bit of confusion among viewers. When Tyla received her award from Halle Bailey and Lil Nas X, she asked Lil Nas X to hold the hefty trophy while she gave her acceptance speech. This led to a brief buzz on social media, with fans questioning the nature of her request. Tyla swiftly responded on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Y’all make everything weird… I was not asking my girl Halle… We just girls. STFU I WON A VMAAAA.”
During her speech, Tyla joked, “I’m not strong enough, please hold it for me,” which led Lil Nas X to take over the trophy. She added, “Thank you, I’m sorry,” before Halle Bailey showed support with a congratulatory message on social media: “Exactly ♥️♥️ love u babes congrats.”
Beyond the trophy moment, Tyla used her platform to discuss a broader issue within the music industry. She pointed out that the success of “Water” highlights the potential for African music to achieve mainstream success. “The global impact that ‘Water’ has had on the world just proves that African music can be pop music too,” she said. Tyla stressed that African music is diverse and extends beyond Afrobeats, representing a broader cultural spectrum. “I come from South Africa. I represent Amapiano, I represent my culture,” she added.
With her debut album released earlier this year, Tyla is making waves in the global music scene. She expressed her ambition to be a trailblazer for South African artists. She aims to “be the biggest pop star for the people back home.” She also wants to “open that door” for future musicians from her homeland.