This marked the seventh time the event took place in the UK and for a third time hosted by British singer, Rita Ora. The ceremony celebrated top global and regional talent across various music genres.

South African rising star Tyla took center stage by winning “Best Afrobeats,” beating a solid line-up of Nigerian contenders, including Asake, Rema, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, and Tems.

Tyla also won “Best African Act,” surpassing music stars such as Asake, Ayra Starr, DBN Gogo, TitoM &

Yuppe from South Africa, and Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz. Tyla also won the Best R&B category, beating Kehlani, SZA, Tinashe, Usher, and Victoria Monét.

She was further nominated for best new artiste alongside Ayra Starr, but American’s Benson Boone won  it.

This accomplishment makes Tyla the first African artiste to win three single-night awards at the MTV EMAs.

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In September, Tyla made headlines at the MTV Video Music Awards, VMAs, for winning the “Best Afrobeats” category, becoming the first African female artiste to secure the award since its inception in

2023.

However, she stirred debate by clarifying that she identified with the Amapiano genre rather than  Afrobeats, stating, it is so special but also bittersweet because she knows there’s a tendency to group African singers under Afrobeats.

Her comments sparked backlash, especially among Nigerian fans, who questioned her acceptance of the award if she didn’t consider her song to be Afrobeats.

However, at the 2024 MTV EMAs, Tyla took a different approach, expressing gratitude for Afrobeats and  acknowledging its role in elevating African music globally.

Her speech now appears to respectfully acknowledge Afrobeats’ impact on African music, contrasting with her previous stance at the VMAs.