South African singer Tyla emerged as one of the standout winners at the 52nd American Music Awards, securing two trophies at the ceremony held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The 24-year-old artist won Best Afrobeats Artist, edging out Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Rema, as well as Ghanaian-American singer MOLIY in the fan-voted category.
She also clinched Social Song of the Year for her 2025 hit “CHANEL,” becoming the only African artist to win on the night.
The 52nd American Music Awards took place on Monday, hosted by Queen Latifah.
Tyla entered the ceremony as the most-nominated African artist in AMAs history, earning four nominations, including Best Female R&B Artist and Best Music Video for “CHANEL.”
Although she was not present to receive her awards, her double win marks a major milestone in her rapidly growing international career.
Released in October 2025, “CHANEL” has enjoyed strong global success, surpassing 320 million streams on Spotify and topping charts in several countries.
The track is one of her biggest hits to date, following her 2023 breakout single “Water,” which charted in South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Her continued presence in the Afrobeats category has also fuelled debate online about her genre identity, with her sound blending amapiano, pop, R&B, and Afrobeats influences.
Other major winners included BTS, who won Artist of the Year, and Sabrina Carpenter, who took Album of the Year for Man’s Best Friend. The Song of the Year award went to “Golden” by HUNTR/X, featuring EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami.
Full list of major winners
Artist of the Year: BTS
New Artist of the Year: KATSEYE
Album of the Year: Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
Song of the Year: HUNTR/X – “Golden”
Collaboration of the Year: PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
Social Song of the Year: Tyla – “CHANEL”
Best Music Video: KATSEYE – “Gnarly”
Best Soundtrack: KPop Demon Hunters
Tour of the Year: Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour
Breakout Tour: Benson Boone – American Heart World Tour
Breakthrough Album: Zara Larsson – Midnight Sun
Song of the Summer: BTS – “SWIM”
Pop
Best Male Pop Artist – Justin Bieber
Best Female Pop Artist – Sabrina Carpenter
Breakthrough Pop Artist – KATSEYE
Best Pop Album – Sabrina Carpenter (Man’s Best Friend)
Best Pop Song – HUNTR/X – “Golden”
Afrobeats
Best Afrobeats Artist – Tyla
Hip-Hop
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist – Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist – Cardi B
Best Hip-Hop Song – Cardi B – “ErrTime”
Best Hip-Hop Album – Cardi B – AM I THE DRAMA?
R&B
Best Male R&B Artist – Bruno Mars
Best Female R&B Artist – SZA
Breakthrough R&B Artist – Leon Thomas
Best R&B Song – Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
Best R&B Album – Bruno Mars – The Romantic
Country
Best Male Country Artist – Morgan Wallen
Best Female Country Artist – Ella Langley
Best Country Album – Megan Moroney – Cloud 9
Latin
Best Male Latin Artist – Bad Bunny
Best Female Latin Artist – Shakira
Best Latin Album – KAROL G – Tropicoqueta
Rock/Alternative
Best Rock/Alternative Artist – Twenty One Pilots
Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist – sombr
Best Rock/Alternative Album – sombr – I Barely Know Her
Other Categories
Best Dance/Electronic Artist – David Guetta
Best K-Pop Female Artist – TWICE
Best K-Pop Male Artist – BTS
Best Americana/Folk Artist – Noah Kahan
