“I come from South Africa, I represent Ampiano. I represent my country,” said Tyla.
Tyla used her first Video Music Awards win to educate the world on African music.
Despite being a big moment for Tyla, there was one issue with her being nominated for an award in the “Best Afrobeats” category in the first place—she is an Ampiano artist. The genre, which is distinctly different from Afrobeats, is rooted in the “Truth or Dare” singer’s home of South Africa and known for its “smooth, vibrant beats” as well as “unique dances” that include bouncing, macquoma, and shuffling.
“The global impact that ‘Water’ has had on the world proves that African music can be pop music too. This is so special but bittersweet because I know there is a tendency to group all African artists under Afrobeats,” said Tyla during her acceptance speech. “Even though Afrobeats has run things and opened so many doors for us, African music is so diverse. It is more than just Afrobeats.”
“I come from South Africa,” she continued. “I represent Ampiano. I represent my country.”
Along with Tyla, fellow Ampiano artists like Uncle Waffles, DJ Maphorias, Lady Du, Tyler ICU, Vigro Deep, and Kabza De Small are responsible for helping to develop and popularize the genre and taking it worldwide.
Source: Black Enterprise
