South African global sensation Tyla has received her first nomination at the popular MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).

Other first-time nominees include Burna Boy, Lojay and Pheelz from the African continent.

The popiano singer, who made waves with her viral hit single, “Water”, will go up against other African superstars such as Davido, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Lojay, Pheelz and Tems, at the 2024 awards.

The “Jump” hitmaker is nominated for three awards in the categories of Best New Artist, Best Afrobeats and Best R&B for her song “Water”.

Tyla faces mega competition in the Best Afrobeats categories, which sees the likes of Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Davido, Tems and Usher, also being nominated.

The songstress will go head to head with Benson Boone,Chappell Roan, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey and Teddy Swims for the Best New Artist award.

In the Best R&B category, Tyla will face off against the iconic, Alicia Keys, Usher, SZA, Muni Long and Victoria Monét.

Monde Twala, senior vice president and co-general manager Paramount Africa and Lead BET International said: “We’re immensely proud to continually champion the growth of African music and celebrate the extraordinary talent of our nominees for this year's awards.

He shared that African musicians are not only representing their nations, but daringly changing the face of international music.

“Their nominations underscore the undeniable impact and universal appeal of African music, further cementing its place on the world stage.”

Meanwhile, with 10 nominations, Taylor Swift leads the awards nominees pack and hopes to extend her record-breaking run for Video of the Year, while also breaking her own record and becoming the first artist to win the award three times in a row.

Swift is closely followed by her “Fortnight” collaborator, Post Malone with nine nominations, Ariana Grande, Eminem and Sabrina Carpenter with six each, Megan Thee Stallion and SZA with five each and Lisa, Olivia Rodrigo and Teddy Swims with four each.

Voting across 15 gender-neutral categories, including the highly-coveted Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best New Artist and Artist of the Year, are currently open until Friday, August 30.

Music fans can visit the MTV website for more details.

∎ The coveted awards ceremony will take place at the UBS Arena in New York on Tuesday, September 11. The live show will broadcast on MTV (DStv channel 130) at 2am CAT.

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