“Tyla Is a Plant, She’s So South African”- Podcasters weigh in on the viral Afrobeats speech at VMAs

• Recall that Tyla’s win came over competitors like Burna Boy’s City Boys, Tems’ Love Me Jeje, and Ayra Starr’s Last Heartbreak.

Some American podcasters have expressed their views on Tyla’s acceptance speech at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, where she won the Best Afrobeats Award.

Recall that Tyla’s win came over competitors like Burna Boy’s City Boys, Tems’ Love Me Jeje, and Ayra Starr’s Last Heartbreak.

Her speech sparked discussion as she highlighted the issue of lumping all African artists together under the Afrobeats label, despite the genre’s impact and achievements.

“This is just so special, but also bittersweet because I know there’s a tendency to group all African artists under Afrobeat[s]. It’s a thing, and even though Afrobeats has run things and has opened so many doors for us, African music is so diverse, it is more than just Afrobeats,” she said in part.

Some Americans on Joe Budden’s podcast mentioned that Tyla needs to work on her communication.

One of the podcasters described her as a plant, suggesting that she behaves like a typical South African.

“Tyla is a plant. The people who set the stage for Tyla to benefit from Afrobeats and win Afrobeats awards will do the same thing again, it won’t be the last time,” the podcasters said.

Watch the video below:

Netizens Reactions:

@jay_bbag: “I’m glad even outsiders are seeing and saying it.”

@masternano: “I am curious, If a Nigerian won an award for an amapiano song what would the critics say?”

@fortheninetofivers: “How could a plant also be talented? I’m so confused. She has the talent and the look.”

@fatzytharealest: “Afrobeat has been attacked!!! Since the year started with Kendrick and drake beef and now tyla getting the front stage of African music as a South African amapiano artiste.”

@idia_iyesigie: “Fact and fact only. They’re trying to undermine Nigerian artist. Tyla is an industry plant.”