Tyla did not have to worry about the Recording Academy when she won the Grammy for Best African Music Performance in the category’s first year.

The “Water” singer was nominated alongside ASAKE and Olamide, Burna Boy, Davido featuring Musa Keys, and Ayra Starr. Last month, Tyla’s smash tune peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100.

“I never thought I’d say I won a Grammy at 22 years old,” Tyla said as she accepted the award. “Thank you to the Recording Academy for this category. It’s so important.”Talking with ET’s Kevin Frazier at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards, the 22-year-old songstress from Johannesburg reacted to her GRAMMY win for Best African Music Performance, which she found out about just moments prior.

Tyla’s ‘Water’ saw off songs by Davido’s ‘Unavailable,’ Asake’s ‘Amapiano,’ Burna Boy’s ‘City Boys,’ and Ayra Starr’s ‘Rush.’

 

The song ‘Water’ made the top 10 across 16 countries, including the UK and the US.

The 2024 Grammys include three new categories: Best African Music Performance, Best Alternative Jazz Album, and Best Pop Dance Recording. Kylie Minogue, an Australian music artist, won the latter award for “Padam Padam.”