Tyra used the VMAs to call for an international awards show that would bring African artists together.
Like a sports coach expressing his displeasure after a win, South Africa's Tyra criticized the international awards for lumping African artists together in one category.
This comes after she won the Best Afrobeats award at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA).
“This is really special, but it's also bittersweet because I know there's a tendency to lump all Africans together with Afrobeat,” the 22-year-old said in her acceptance speech.
“Even though Afrobeat has moved things and opened a lot of doors for us, African music is very diverse… it's not just Afrobeat.”
A big moment for Africa and African music 🌍 @Tiraaaaaa “Water” won Best Afrobeat Award 🏆 #VMAs pic.twitter.com/5MYNt0QJiB
— MTVAfrica (@MTVAfrica) September 12, 2024
Afrobeat is a Nigerian genre that blends influences from other Nigerian genres, such as fuji, a traditional Yoruba music based on percussion and choral call-and-response.
Afrobeat is also a cocktail of juju, jazz, highlife, funk and soul.
Related article: Amapiano takes over London's Southwark Park, a sign of the genre's growth
Diversity in Africa
The South African singer, whose real name is Tyra Lola Ceasar, used the VMAs to educate audiences around the world about the differences in African music.
“I'm from South Africa, I represent Amapiano, I represent my culture and I want to shout out to all the Afrobeat artistes in this category with me,” Tyra said, paying tribute to her fellow Nigerian artistes who were nominated alongside her.
“This is a big moment for Africa, for African music. water “The impact that African music has had on the world proves that African music can also be pop music,” Tyra said.
Tyra is not the first South African to comment on international awards ceremonies relegating African art to one category as an afterthought.
Before heading to New York for the headline event at Madison Square Garden last year, Black Coffee noted that African music is now getting the respect it deserves on the world stage.
“I've always felt that this music should be played on as big a platform as possible. I remember I was doing interviews a long time ago, and I was in New York, and a journalist asked me, 'What are you up to?'” Black Coffee said.
“My answer is, imagine this. Superman Busey sings it, Beyoncé sings it, it doesn't change anything. The genre is worth it.”
VMA
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Taylor Swift made history by winning Best Video, a feat that made her the first person to win the award five times, thus breaking her own record.
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