South African music sensation Tyla has once again asserted her dominance on the global stage, winning the Favourite Afrobeats Artist award at the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs). The glitzy ceremony took place on Monday night at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas in Las Vegas.
The ‘Water’ hitmaker edged out fierce competition from Nigerian Afrobeats powerhouses Wizkid, Rema, Tems, and Asake solidifying her rising influence in the genre across international boundaries.
Wizkid previously won the inaugural Favourite Afrobeats Artist award at the 2022 AMAs, powered by the global success of his hit single ‘Essence’. But this year, Tyla’s growing appeal, genre-blending sound, and chart-topping hits proved enough to clinch the title.
While Tyla’s win stirred excitement among fans across Africa, the biggest winner of the night was undoubtedly Billie Eilish, who made a historic sweep taking home all seven awards she was nominated for, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year for her critically acclaimed project “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.”
In a surprising twist, industry stalwarts Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande walked away empty-handed, despite multiple nominations marking one of the biggest snubs of the night.
Hip-hop legend Eminem also made headlines with a major comeback, bagging his first AMA in 15 years. He scooped Favourite Male Hip-Hop Artist and Favourite Hip-Hop Album for “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce).”
Here’s the full list of winners from the star-studded event:
Artist of the Year: Billie Eilish
New Artist of the Year: Gracie Abrams
Album of the Year: Billie Eilish – HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
Song of the Year: Billie Eilish – BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Collaboration of the Year: Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile
Social Song of the Year: Doechii – Anxiety
Favorite Touring Artist: Billie Eilish
Favorite Music Video: Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile
Favorite Male Pop Artist: Bruno Mars
Favorite Female Pop Artist: Billie Eilish
Favorite Pop Album: Billie Eilish – HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
Favorite Pop Song: Billie Eilish – BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Favorite Rock Artist: Twenty One Pilots
Favorite Rock Album: Twenty One Pilots – Clancy
Favorite Rock Song: Linkin Park – The Emptiness Machine
Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist: Eminem
Favorite Female Hip-Hop Artist: Megan Thee Stallion
Favorite Hip-Hop Album: Eminem – The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
Favorite Hip-Hop Song: Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Favorite Male Country Artist: Post Malone
Favorite Female Country Artist: Beyoncé
Favorite Country Duo/Group: Dan + Shay
Favorite Country Album: Beyoncé – COWBOY CARTER
Favorite Country Song: Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help
Favorite Male R&B Artist: The Weeknd
Favorite Female R&B Artist: SZA
Favorite R&B Album: The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow
Favorite R&B Song: SZA – Saturn
Favorite Dance/Electronic Artist: Lady Gaga
Favorite Male Latin Artist: Bad Bunny
Favorite Female Latin Artist: Becky G
Favorite Latin Duo/Group: Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda
Favorite Latin Album: Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Favorite Latin Song: Shakira – Soltera
Favorite Soundtrack: Arcane League of Legends: Season 2
Favorite K-Pop Artist: RM
Favorite Afrobeats Artist: Tyla
With this win, Tyla continues to break barriers and shine a spotlight on South Africa’s growing impact on global music culture.
