OAP Dotun has criticized South African singer Tyla for her acceptance speech following her win of the Best Afrobeats Award at MTV VMAs 2024.
Tyla made history by becoming the first African female artist to win this award at the event held at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York on Wednesday night, September 11.
She not only became the first female African artist to win a VMA but also the first South African artist to do so.
Tyla triumphed over competitors like Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, and Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay, Tems, and Usher with Pheelz with her song ‘Water.’
In her speech, she referred to her victory as ‘just so special but also bittersweet’, because she represents ‘Amapiano.’
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She emphasized that “African music is so diverse’, and more than just Afrobeats.” and goes beyond just Afrobeats.
OAP Dotun expressed his opinion that Tyla’s win of the Best Afrobeat Song at the 2024 VMA was a ‘miss.’
He also said Tyla could have either returned the award or rejected the nomination instead of accepting it and associating herself with ‘Amapiano.’
According to Dotun, the South African singer accepted an award that does not align with her music genre.
He wrote, “Aunty @tyla aka am not Afrobeats, I am Amapiano. We have heard you but your song “Water” isn’t amapiano either. If you thought you were categorized in the wrong category, you should have given the award back or denounced the nomination. You took an award that didn’t represent you or your sound from that statement you made.”
“Again, you see why you “ESAUS” need to rethink. You all sold our birthright for peanuts. Afrobeat is Afrobeat not Afrobeats hence the confusion…” he added.
