South African music sensation Tyla has added another milestone to her growing list of achievements—this time as a director. The Grammy-winning artist has earned a nomination at the prestigious Urban Music Awards (UMA) for her directorial debut, the remix of Push 2 Start, featuring dancehall legend Sean Paul.
The video, co-directed by Tyla and filmmaker Taylor Fauntleroy, premiered in early March and has already amassed over seven million views, further solidifying her influence both musically and visually.
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Urban Music Awards expand to South Africa
Established in the UK in 2003, the Urban Music Awards have since grown into a global celebration of urban music, with editions launched in the US, the Caribbean, and Asia. This year, South Africa joins the roster, with the inaugural UMA South Africa set to take place at Pretoria’s Heartfelt Arena in May.
Founder and UMA president Jordan Kensington emphasised the significance of the expansion, stating:
“The launch of UMA South Africa is more than an awards ceremony—it’s a movement to empower South African artists with the tools to brand, monetise, and transcend global audiences across Europe, Asia, North America, and the rest of Africa.”
The awards ceremony will be broadcast worldwide via VooVix TV, offering a global audience the chance to witness the best in South African urban music.
Tyla among top contenders for multiple awards
In addition to her nomination for Best Music Video, Tyla is also in the running for Artist of the Year, where she faces tough competition from Kabza De Small, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Kelvin Momo, and K.O.
She’s also been nominated for Best Female Act, a category stacked with powerhouse names, including DJ Zinhle, Makhadzi, Ami Faku, and Uncle Waffles.
The UMAs will also honour a variety of other genres, with awards for Best Gqom Act, Best Maskandi Act, and Best Producer. Meanwhile, South African media will also be recognised, with nominations in categories such as Best Music Television Show and Best Radio Station.
Cressida Oppenheimer, Head of Global Partnerships at UMA and Official World Charts, spoke on the significance of South Africa’s inclusion in the awards:
“Music tourism is a multi-billion-dollar industry, encompassing sales, concerts, tours, festivals, merchandise, and businesses, and our mission is to ensure South African music reaps the rewards worldwide.”
With Tyla’s nomination marking yet another high point in her already stellar career, the 2025 Urban Music Awards are set to be a defining moment for South African artists on the global stage.
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Featured Image: Getty
