South Africa’s Tyla has cemented her global stardom by claiming the Impact Award at the 2025 Billboard Women in Music ceremony. TYLA AT BILLBOARD’S WOMEN IN MUSIC CEREMONYThe amapiano trailblazer blends Afrobeats and R&B with her native genre. She was celebrated for reshaping music’s cultural landscape, according to Billboard.
Hosted by Laverne Cox at Los Angeles’ YouTube Theater on 29 March, the event spotlighted women driving innovation in the industry. Tyla’s win follows her meteoric rise, including a Grammy for Best African Music Performance in 2024 and hits like Water and Push 2 Start.TYLA’S START IN MUSICTyla’s journey began in South Africa, where she grew up immersed in amapiano.
Her self-titled debut album (2024) earned critical acclaim, blending local rhythms with global appeal, according to IOL. Despite setbacks like a back injury that forced her to cancel Coachella and a world tour, she rebounded with a debut at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and a Nike endorsement deal.“Tyla’s drive and uniqueness have earned her the Impact Award,” Billboard stated.
“She’s a force beyond music, inspiring young artists globally.”TYLA, AFRICAN MUSIC, BILLBOARD AND AFROBEATSTyla challenges perceptions that African artists only produce Afrobeats. “Genres are fluid,” she told Billboard.
“I represent Africa as a whole. If listeners hear influences in my music, it enhances understanding.” Her work bridges cultures, from Johannesburg’s vibrant amap.