South African singer Tyla shined bright once again when she won awards at the 2024 BET Awards on June 30 held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. The 22-year-old artist claimed two significant awards: Best New Artist and Best International Act, solidifying her rising status in the global music scene.
The 2024 BET Awards, hosted by Taraji P. Henson, featured a star-studded lineup of performers and presenters. Other notable winners included Usher for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, SZA for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, and Nicki Minaj for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist.
Tyla’s win for Best New Artist was particularly notable, as she edged out a competitive field including Sexyy Red, Ayra Starr, Asake, and others. In her emotional acceptance speech, Tyla dedicated her award to Africa and acknowledged the African superstars who paved the way for her success.
“Oh my gosh this crazy, this is also very heavy again. First of all, I love Sexyy Red. I love her so much,” she began. “This is such a gift to be here. I want to dedicate this one to Africa. I want to dedicate this to all the African superstars before me that didn’t get these opportunities that I’m getting. This is just amazing. Africa to the world guys.”
The “Water” hitmaker made a striking impression on the red carpet, donning a black vintage Versace gown with jewelry valued at approximately $230,000 (R4-million). Her fashion choices complemented her rising star status and added to her memorable night.
Tyla’s performance of “Jump,” featuring collaborators Gunna and Skillibeng, was a highlight of the ceremony. Her energetic set paid homage to her Johannesburg roots and showcased her signature dance moves, particularly the viral “Water” dance.
This success at the BET Awards follows Tyla’s recent Grammy win for Best African Music Performance in February 2024, where she became the youngest African artist to receive a Grammy. Her self-titled debut album, released in March 2024, has received critical acclaim and debuted at number 24 on the U.S. Billboard 200.
Despite her recent successes, Tyla faced challenges earlier in the year when she had to cancel her debut concert tour due to an undisclosed injury. She also had to come out to debunk rumors that she denied being black. However, her performance and wins at the BET Awards mark a triumphant return to the spotlight.
The award night also saw Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, win her fourth BET award with her song “Me & U”.
Here is the full list of the winners:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
11:11 – Chris Brown
A Gift & a Curse – Gunna
American Dream – 21 Savage
Coming Home – Usher
For All the Dogs (Scary Hours Edition) – Drake
Jaguar II – Victoria Monét
Michael – Killer Mike – WINNER
Pink Friday 2 – Nicki Minaj
BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
Beyoncé
Coco Jones
Doja Cat
H.E.R.
Muni Long
SZA — WINNER
Tyla
Victoria Monét
BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST
Brent Faiyaz
Bryson Tiller
Burna Boy
Chris Brown
Drake
Fridayy
October London
Usher – WINNER
BEST GROUP
¥$ (Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign) – WINNER
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
41
Blxst and Bino Rideaux
City Girls
FLO
Maverick City Music
WanMor
BEST COLLABORATION
“All My Life” – Lil Durk featuring J. Cole – WINNER
“America Has a Problem (Remix)” – Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar
“Barbie World” – Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice with Aqua
“Bongos” – Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion
“Carnival” – ¥$ (Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign) featuring Rich the Kid and Playboi Carti
“Don’t Play with It (Remix)” – Lola Brooke featuring Latto and Yung Miami
“Everybody” – Nicki Minaj featuring Lil Uzi Vert
“Good Good” – Usher, Summer Walker and 21 Savage
“Rich Baby Daddy” – Drake featuring Sexyy Red and SZA
BEST FEMALE HIP-HOP ARTIST
Cardi B
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Ice Spice
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj – WINNER
Sexyy Red
BEST MALE HIP-HOP ARTIST
21 Savage
Burna Boy
Drake
Future
Gunna
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar – WINNER
Lil Wayne
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Agora Hills” – Doja Cat
“All My Life” – Lil Durk featuring J. Cole
“Barbie World” – Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice with Aqua
“Bongos” – Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion
“First Person Shooter” – Drake featuring J. Cole
“Good Good” – Usher, Summer Walker and 21 Savage
“On My Mama” – Victoria Monét — WINNER
“Rich Baby Daddy” – Drake featuring Sexyy Red and SZA
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Benny Boom
Child.
Cole Bennett – WINNER
Dave Meyers
Janelle Monáe and Alan Ferguson
Offset
Tems
Tyler, the Creator
BEST NEW ARTIST
41
4Batz
Ayra Starr
Bossman Dlow
Fridayy
October London
Sexyy Red
Tyla – WINNER
DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
“Award All of the Glory” – Shirley Caesar
“All Things” – Kirk Franklin
“Angel” – Halle Bailey
“Come Jesus Come” – CeCe Winans
“Do You Believe in Love?” – Erica Campbell
“God Problems” – Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore
“Me & U” – Tems – WINNER
“Try Love” – Kirk Franklin
VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD
“Agora Hills” – Doja Cat
“All My Life” – Lil Durk featuring J. Cole
“F–umean” – Gunna
“Lovin on Me” – Jack Harlow
“Made for Me” – Muni Long
“On My Mama” – Victoria Monét
“Rich Baby Daddy” – Drake featuring Sexyy Red and SZA
“Sensational” – Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay
“Texas Hold ‘Em” – Beyoncé – WINNER
“Water” – Tyla
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Asake (Africa)
Aya Nakamura (France)
Ayra Starr (Africa)
BK’ (Brazil)
Cleo Sol (UK)
Focalistic (Africa)
Karol Conká (Brazil)
RAYE (UK)
Tiakola (France)
Tyla (Africa) – WINNER
VIEWER’S CHOICE: BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT
Bellah (UK)
Cristale (UK)
Duquesa (Brazil)
Holly G (France)
Jungeli (France)
Makhadzi (Africa) – WINNER
Oruam (Brazil)
Seyi Vibez (Africa)
Tyler ICU (Africa)
BET HER
“16 Carriages” – Beyoncé
“Blessings” – Nicki Minaj featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“Commas” – Ayra Starr
“Fly Girl” – FLO featuring Missy Elliott
“Hiss” – Megan Thee Stallion
“On My Mama” – Victoria Monét — WINNER
“Saturn” – SZA
“Yeah Glo!” – GloRilla
BEST MOVIE
American Fiction
Bob Marley: One Love – WINNER
Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
The Book of Clarence
The Color Purple
The Equalizer 3
The Little Mermaid
BEST ACTOR
Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Damson Idris
Denzel Washington – WINNER
Donald Glover
Idris Elba
Jeffrey Wright
Lakeith Stanfield
BEST ACTRESS
Angela Bassett
Ayo Edebiri
Coco Jones
Danielle Brooks
Fantasia
Halle Bailey
Issa Rae
Regina King — WINNER
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Akira Akbar
Blue Ivy Carter – WINNER
Demi Singleton
Heiress Diana Harris
JaBria McCullum
Jalyn Hall
Leah Jeffries
Van Van
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
A’ja Wilson
Angel Reese – WINNER
Coco Gauff
Flau’jae Johnson
Juju Watkins
Naomi Osaka
Sha’Carri Richardson
Simone Biles
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Anthony Edwards
Gervonta Davis
Jalen Brunson – WINNER
Jalen Hurts
Kyrie Irving
LeBron James
Patrick Mahomes
Stephen Curry
