South African sensation Tyla clinched the Best Afrobeats award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), triumphing over a formidable lineup of Nigerian superstars including Burna Boy, Rema, Tems, Wizkid, and Asake. Her global hit Push 2 Start secured her the prestigious prize, marking a milestone in her fast-rising career and underscoring her growing influence on the international stage.
Though she narrowly missed a second win, losing the Best Choreography category to Doechii’s Anxiety, Tyla’s VMA triumph was particularly significant as she prevailed over a highly competitive Nigerian contingent in a category where the country’s stars have traditionally dominated.
While Tyla celebrated, it was a difficult night for Nigerian artists.
– Ayra Starr, nominated in the MTV Push Performance of the Year category, lost out to Katseye’s Touch.
– Burna Boy, up for Video for Good, also left without a win, with Charli XCX’s Guess (featuring Billie Eilish) taking the honour.
The night’s biggest winners were global icons Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande.
Lady Gaga took home four awards, including:
– Artist of the Year
– Best Art Direction
– Best Direction
– Best Collaboration (for Die With a Smile with Bruno Mars)
Ariana Grande also had a standout showing, sweeping major categories. She won Video of the Year for Brighter Days Ahead, The 32-year-old also claimed Best Pop Song, solidifying her as one of the ceremony’s top achievers.
Visibly emotional while accepting the prestigious award, Grande delivered an extended thank-you to her fans, describing them as “fiercely loving and supportive.” Earlier in the night, while accepting her first prize, she humorously thanked her “therapist and gay people.”
“Thank you for growing with me and being so supportive of me as a human being,” she told the cheering crowd.
This year’s VMAs also introduced inaugural honours:
– American rap legend Busta Rhymes received the first-ever Rock the Bells Visionary Award.
– Puerto Rican superstar Ricky Martin was celebrated with the inaugural Latin Icon Award.
The 2025 ceremony was held on Sunday at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, and, in a historic shift, was broadcast for the first time on CBS, expanding its reach to a wider television audience.
The night’s performances leaned heavily on a nostalgic aesthetic. Veterans Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, and Ricky Martin took audiences back with classic-styled performances, while younger stars such as Doja Cat and Tate McRae incorporated choreography inspired by the 1980s and 1990s.
The VMAs once again showcased the diversity of global music, with winners spanning pop, hip-hop, Afrobeats, Latin, K-pop, and country categories. From Coldplay’s Best Rock win with All My Love to Shakira’s Best Latin award for Soltera and Lisa’s Best K-Pop triumph with Born Again, the event reinforced the awards’ reputation as a celebration of worldwide musical excellence.
Beyond Tyla’s historic Afrobeats win, the full winners’ list reflected an eclectic mix of rising talents and established legends:
– Best New Artist went to Alex Warren.
– Song of the Year went to Rosé & Bruno Mars for Apt.
– Best R&B was awarded to Mariah Carey for Type Dangerous.
– Best Country was claimed by Megan Moroney with Am I Okay?
– Best Album of the Year went to Sabrina Carpenter for Short n’ Sweet.
In a notable upset, Kendrick Lamar, who recently dominated the Grammy Awards with five wins, left without a single trophy despite multiple nominations.
Unlike last year’s politically charged ceremony, which saw Taylor Swift urging fans to vote for Kamala Harris during the U.S. election season, this year’s event steered clear of politics, focusing entirely on music and artistry.
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