The 66th Grammy Awards introduced the Best African Music Performance category. Tyla, South Africa’s emerging talent, made history by winning the inaugural prize for her outstanding song “Water.”
She competed against African heavyweights such as Davido, Burna Boy, Asake, and Ayra Starr to win the category. Tyla was understandably pleased to be the first winner, and she accepted the Award on Sunday night. “It’s crazy! I never expected to win a Grammy at the age of 22!” she remarked.
Sammy Soso, a British-Ghanaian song producer, was instrumental in creating Tyla’s award-winning hit song. The producer has a modest profile but is a Grammy-nominated record and vocal producer, songwriter, engineer, and DJ, according to his biography.
He is the producer of KSI’s “UK Top 15” track “Transforming” from 2016. He also collaborated with Grime MC JME and Grammy-winning producer P2J on “Pull UP.” He and P2J collaborated with one of Africa’s top stars, Wizkid.
They collaborated on “Sweet One” and “Grace” for the album “Made In Lagos,” which also featured his track “Bad To Me”. He has also collaborated with musicians such as Omah Lay, Young T& Bugsey, Blxst, Headie One, Tion Wayne, Dreya Mac, and Pa Salieu.
While in his teens, SoSo was a part of a multi-media organization where he learned the skills needed to become a DJ by performing in huge clubs to songs like “Rep Your Country” and Julie Adenuga’s “Don’t @ Me”. SoSo’s work on Wizkid’s Made In Lagos earned him his first Grammy nomination in 2021 for Best Global Music Album. He and Tyla have also received nominations for the 2024 BRIT Awards.
Soso and Tyla wrote “Water” with Tricky Stewart, an American producer and songwriter who has collaborated with Beyoncé, Rihanna, and other well-known musicians. Following its debut in July 2023, “Water” sparked a viral dance challenge on TikTok and hit the global singles list.
Tyla’s prize has ignited an online dispute between Nigeria and South Africa, as they prepare for a crucial football match on Wednesday, reports the BBC.
“South Africa won today, but Nigeria will win on Wednesday when it counts the most,” one person remarked on X.
After defeating four Nigerians in the Best African Music Performance category, Nigerians have called on their national team, the Super Eagles, to avenge themselves.
No Nigerian won a Grammy, but a South African did. This is Nigerians being generous so that when we win the AFCON, they would have something to talk about,” another person remarked on X.