Tyla Wins Big at 2026 AMAs With Double Victory in Afrobeats and Social Song Categories

South African music star Tyla has emerged as one of the standout winners at the 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs), taking home two major honours: Best Afrobeats Artist and Social Song of the Year for her global hit “Chanel.”

The 52nd edition of the AMAs, held in Las Vegas and broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+, celebrated fan-voted achievements across global music genres. Tyla’s double win placed her among a strong group of female artists who dominated the night, alongside other major winners including BTS, Sabrina Carpenter, and Shakira.

Her victory in the Afrobeats category is particularly significant as she competed against some of the biggest names in African music, including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, and Moliy. Winning Best Afrobeats Artist for a second consecutive year underscores her growing influence in a genre that continues to expand globally through streaming platforms and international collaborations.

The second award, Social Song of the Year, went to her viral track “Chanel,” a song that gained massive traction on digital platforms and social media, driving strong engagement and streaming numbers worldwide. The category reflects how audience interaction online has become a key driver of modern music success, rewarding songs that dominate trends, challenges, and user-generated content across platforms.

Tyla’s wins also highlight a broader shift in global music recognition, where African artists are increasingly central to mainstream international awards. In recent years, Afrobeats and related genres have moved from regional popularity to global chart dominance, with artists from Nigeria and South Africa regularly appearing in major award categories and streaming milestones.

With two major AMA trophies now added to her growing list of achievements, Tyla’s 2026 victory reinforces her status as one of the defining voices of contemporary African music on the world stage.