Tyla dedicated her 2024 BET Best New Artist award to Africa, emphasizing her pride in representing her home continent. Her performance of "Jump" at the award show vividly showcased this dedication.
The performance began with Skillibeng delivering a verse surrounded by male dancers in minimal lighting. As the lights brightened, Tyla dramatically descended from the ceiling on a rope, landing in a cage. She then sang her iconic line, "They never seen a pretty girl from Joburg, they see me now, and it’s what they prefer," with dancers dressed as tigers inside the cage. Tyla freed herself and prowled around the stage.
During the chorus, the "Queen of Popiano" danced energetically to center stage, joining background dancers in beige and orange costumes that enhanced the African-inspired stage decor.
Gunna then performed his verse in front of a prop elephant with a ladder. Tyla approached him, performing her signature "Water" dance to the sultry afrobeat rhythm as the stage lights flickered in orange and purple hues.
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That night, Tyla won two awards, Best International Artist and Best New Artist. She was also nominated for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist. Earlier in the year, she had secured her first Grammy for her hit single, "Water."
In an interview with People, Tyla described the moment as "surreal." She said, "Hearing my name, getting on that stage, and giving a speech was incredible, especially considering my age and how early I am in my career. I didn’t expect it, but I’m so grateful. It’s history. It’s such a big moment for home. I couldn’t be happier."
Watch Tyla’s 2024 BET Awards performance above.
