South African artist Tyla lit up the stage at the 30th MTV Europe Music Awards in Manchester, UK, on Sunday, making a powerful mark as she walked away with three prestigious awards.

Her incredible night included a win for Best Afrobeats Artist, where she beat out stiff competition from top Nigerian artists, including Asake, Tems, Rema, Burna Boy, and Ayra Starr, proving her influence in the Afrobeats genre.

This award is particularly significant as Afrobeats continues to gain international popularity, with many African artists now gaining global recognition.

Tyla’s winning streak continued with the award for Best African Act, where she once again rose above notable artists like Ayra Starr, Asake, South African DJ and producer DBN Gogo, as well as TitoM & Yuppe, and Tanzanian hitmaker Diamond Platnumz.

This victory underscored her status as a leading artist on the continent, representing the energy and creativity emerging from Africa’s music scene.

Her third triumph of the night came in the Best R&B Artist category, a major achievement as she faced global icons such as Kehlani, SZA, Tinashe, Usher, and Victoria Monét.

To top off her remarkable night, Tyla treated fans to an acoustic performance of her popular track “Water.”

The stripped-down version allowed her vocals to take centre stage, showing the depth of her artistry and connecting with the audience on an intimate level.

“Water” has been a breakthrough hit for Tyla, gathering millions of streams and earning her a dedicated following.

For Nigerian superstar Ayra Starr, the night didn’t bring any wins despite her four nominations for Best African Act, Best New Artist, Best Afrobeats Artist, and Best Push.

Despite the outcome, Ayra’s nominations reflect her rapid rise in the industry and her undeniable talent, which has been capturing attention internationally.

The MTV EMAs have increasingly become a platform for African artists to shine, and Ayra’s nominations highlight the global appeal of Nigerian music.

Tyla’s achievement serves as a reminder of the growing reach and impact of African music, with artists like her at the forefront, bringing African sounds to a global audience.