South African singer Tyla has clinched the Best Afrobeats award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), held Sunday at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
Her hit track Push 2 Start secured the win, beating Nigerian Afrobeats heavyweights Burna Boy, Rema, Tems, Wizkid, and Asake. The victory underscores Tyla’s growing dominance on the global stage after her breakout success with Water.
Tyla, however, missed out in the Best Choreography category, which went to Doechii’s Anxiety.
It was a tough night for Nigerian stars.
- Ayra Starr, nominated for MTV Push Performance of the Year, left without a win.
- Burna Boy, who was in the running for Video for Good with Higher, also lost out.
This marks one of the rare occasions where Nigerian Afrobeats acts were shut out despite dominating global music charts.
The ceremony saw Ariana Grande emerge as one of the night’s top achievers. Her song Brighter Days Ahead won Video of the Year, with the pop superstar walking away with three awards.
Lady Gaga also had a standout night, clinching four awards, including:
- Artist of the Year
- Best Art Direction
- Best Direction
- Best Collaboration (with Bruno Mars on Die With a Smile)
Other major wins included Rosé & Bruno Mars (Song of the Year for Apt.) and Alex Warren, who took home Best New Artist.
Historic First-Time Awards
This year’s VMAs also introduced new honours:
- Busta Rhymes received the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award.
- Ricky Martin was celebrated as the first-ever Latin Icon Award recipient.
Full List of Winners
- Artist of the Year – Lady Gaga
- Song of the Year – Rosé & Bruno Mars (Apt.)
- Best New Artist – Alex Warren
- Video of the Year – Ariana Grande (Brighter Days Ahead)
- Best Afrobeats – Tyla (Push 2 Start)
- Best Collaboration – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars (Die With a Smile)
- Best R&B – Mariah Carey (Type Dangerous)
- Best Hip-Hop – Doechii (Anxiety)
- Best Rock – Coldplay (All My Love)
- Best Latin – Shakira (Soltera)
- Best K-Pop – Lisa ft. Doja Cat & Raye (Born Again)
…and more.
The 2025 MTV VMAs, aired live on CBS for the first time, once again brought together the world’s biggest stars to celebrate music, creativity, and culture.
