Tyla becomes most nominated African artist in AMA history

South African Grammy Award-winning artist, Tyla, has become the most nominated African Artist in the history of the American Music Awards (AMA).

The music sensation bagged four nominations at this year’s AMAs, including Best Afrobeats Artist, Best Female R&B artist, as well as Social Song of the Year and Best Music Video for her single Chanel.

Tyla will go up against music heavyweights such as Summer Walker, SZA, Kehlani, and Teyana Taylor in the Best Female R&B Artist category.

Chanel, which was released in October 2025, has been a major success, topping the charts and racking up more than 320 million streams on Spotify.

Last year, Tyla walked away with the Favourite Afrobeats Artist award at the American Music Awards.

Taylor Swift leads this year’s nominations with eight, followed by Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter and Sombr with seven each.

Further solidifying her status as a global pop star, Tyla also won the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance in 2024 for her hit Water, and again last year for Push 2 Start.

The 52nd American Music Awards, hosted by the legendary Queen Latifah, will be held in Las Vegas on the 25 May.

Some of the other categories include: 

Artist of the Year: Bad Bunny, Bruno Mars, BTS, Harry Styles, Justin Bieber, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift

New Artist of the Year: Alex Warren, Ella Langley, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean, Sombr

Album of the Year: Cardi B – AM I THE DRAMA?, Fuerza Regida – 111xpantia, Justin Bieber – SWAG, Lady Gaga – Mayhem, Morgan Wallen – I’m The Problem, Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving, Playboi Carti – MUSIC, Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend, Tate McRae – So Close to What, Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgirl

Best Male R&B Artist: Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Daniel Caesar, PARTYNEXTDOOR, The Weeknd

Best R&B Song: Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”, Chris Brown, Bryson Tiller – “It Depends”, Kehlani – “Folded”, Leon Thomas – “MUTT”, Mariah the Scientist – “BURNING BLUE”