The Joburg-born superstar stated boldly that she represented the amapiano despite winning in the Afrobeats category.

Tyla also had words for the organisers and their classification of African music.

“I know there’s a tendency to group all African artists as Afrobeats. Even though Afrobeats has run things and opened doors for us, African music is so diverse,” Tyla said.

“I come from South Africa and I represent Amapiano and my culture,” Tyla added before shouting out to Rema, Tems, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Wikzid, Davido, and other Afrobeats acts with whom she was nominated.

She described her win as “special, but also bittersweet”. (More articles on Tyla: South African Tyla beats Nigerian stars to win first Grammy, Victorious Nigerians taunt South Africans with Tyla hit)

“This is such a big moment for Africa [and] African music,” began Tyla, as she became the first South African artist to win a VMA.

“This is just so special, but also bittersweet because I know there’s a tendency to group all African artists under Afrobeat[s]. It’s a thing, and even though Afrobeats has run things and has opened so many doors for us, African music is so diverse, it is more than just Afrobeats.