Latest news with #BestNewInternationalAct
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
TxC's BET Award win: Thakgi Ledwaba's shocking accusation of industry planting
'Piano Pulse' podcast co-host, Thakgi Ledwaba, has a controversial take on TxC's BET Award win and authenticity. Image: Instagram "Piano Pulse" podcast co-host Thakgi Ledwaba has raised some eyebrows after accusing Amapiano duo Tarryn Reid and Clairise Hefke, professionally known as TxC, of being industry plants. This comes after Reid and Hefke won a BET Award for Best New International Act in June. They made history by being the first DJ duo ever to be recognised in this category at the American awards show. When asked by co-host Khanyi Mars if he thinks Reid and Hefke are 'industry plants', Ledwaba responded with a yes. The term 'industry plant' is often used to describe an artist who achieves success with significant behind-the-scenes support from either a major label or industry connections, often while presenting themselves as independently successful. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ He questioned how they won the award before more established artists, citing that pioneers who have been making Amapiano hits have not been recognised internationally 'How is it that TxC won a BET award before Kabza De Small? How is it that they won a BET before Uncle Waffles? That is just not possible for Best New International Act. Whereas we know that Dlala Thukzin has done more than they do outside of the country,' said Ledwaba. He further expressed his doubts about their deserving the award, suggesting that there might be external factors at play, such as a record label or industry heavyweights pushing their music to global ears. Ledwaba drew comparisons to other South African artists, mentioning Uncle Waffles and Tyla, implying that their success might be due to industry support rather than organic talent. 'I don't think it was well deserved. I feel like it was pushed by whoever they are assigned to, whoever the distributor is at the moment. 'I feel that now people are just looking at South Africa and taking these female artists, making them superstars because they believe they're performers and can DJ. I'm looking at Uncle Waffles, I'm looking at what they did with Tyla, and now TxC is just next in line,' he said. Ledwaba was puzzled by the duo's nomination, adding that many South Africans are unfamiliar with their music and that they lack street credibility. He also stated that the duo does not seem to have a significant presence in the music scene, as they have never headlined an event, are not frequently discussed, and their songs are not widely known or sung along to, even among young fans.
News24
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
SA DJ duo TxC ‘overwhelmed' by hero's welcome at OR Tambo after BET win
SA DJ and production duo TxC received a hero's welcome at OR Tambo International Airport after receiving the Best New International Act honour at the 2025 BET awards. The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and BET organised the welcome celebration, which was attended by fans, the media, and dignitaries. 'Winning a BET Award is beyond our wildest dreams. We are so grateful to our fans, our team, and everyone who believed in us,' TxC said in a statement. Local DJ and production duo TxC landed back in South Africa on Thursday after receiving the Best New International Act honour at the 2025 BET awards. The duo got a hero's welcome at OR Tambo International Airport. The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and BET organised the welcome celebration, which was attended by fans, the media, and dignitaries. 'Winning a BET Award is beyond our wildest dreams. We are so grateful to our fans, our team, and everyone who believed in us,' TxC said in a statement. Supplied/BET Awards 'This award is not just for us - it's for every young African creative with a dream. We're honoured to represent South Africa and can't wait to celebrate this moment with our people at home.' Matome Chiloane, MEC of Education, Sports, Art, Culture and Recreation, said in a statement: 'TxC's victory is a proud moment for South Africa and the African continent. Their sound, energy, and authenticity have resonated globally, proving that our culture and creativity know no bounds. We salute them for flying the South African flag high and inspiring a new generation of artists.' Monde Twala, senior vice president and co-general manager of Paramount Africa and Lead BET International, said: 'TxC's win is a powerful testament to the global appeal of African music and the unstoppable rise of Amapiano. At BET, we remain committed to showcasing and celebrating African excellence. TxC's journey is just beginning, and we are proud to be part of it.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Clairise (@ The BET ceremony took place on 9 June in Los Angeles at the Peacock Theatre. The amapiano group originates from Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, and consists of producers Tarryn Reid and Clairise Hefke. They became the first DJ duo to be recognised in the Best New International Act category. Brazilian artist Ajuliacosta also won the Best New International Act honour, while South African artists Dlala Thukzin and Maglera Doe Boy were nominated. Tyla and Uncle Waffles were also nominated in the Best New International Act category, which Ayra Starr won. After winning the award, Hefke wrote on Instagram: 'Is this real? SCREAMING. CRYING. Overwhelmed with joy.' 'Thank you to everyone who's ever believed in us and stood by our side. Your support means the world, and we're feeling all the emotions right now,' Hefke continued. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BET Africa (@bet_africa) 'To our incredible team, thank you for pushing us to grow and become the best versions of ourselves. And to our label, Love Renaissance, your belief in us has never wavered. We truly couldn't have done this without you.' She also paid tribute to Reid: 'Last but not least, to my partner in everything I do, My Tcup, WE DID IT! Our dreams are coming true in real time! What God has in store for us is greater than anything we could've imagined.' 'Every step, every struggle, every breakthrough - it's all part of His divine plan. We're just getting started, and we know He's not done with us yet.'
News24
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Amapiano stars TxC makes BET history as the DJ duo claims major US award
South African amapiano duo TxC are the first DJ duo to win Best New International Act at the 2025 BET Awards. The award shared with Brazil's Ajuliacosta continues SA's strong presence at the long-standing awards ceremony following Makhadzi's 2024 win. Industry leaders highlight African music's growing global influence and commercial potential. South African amapiano duo TxC made history at the 2025 BET Awards, becoming the first DJ duo ever to be recognised in the Best New International Act category, jointly winning with Brazilian newcomer Ajuliacosta. Tarryn Reid and Clairise Hefke – collectively known as TxC – accepted their award at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, marking another milestone for South African music on the global stage. The win cements amapiano's growing international influence and follows South African singer Makhadzi's victory in the 2024 ceremony in the Viewer's Choice: Best New International Act category. The Best New International Act category featured impressive South African representation, with Dlala Thukzin and Maglera Doe Boy also receiving nominations alongside artists from Nigeria, the UK, Tanzania, France, and Brazil. Prior to departing for Los Angeles, TxC was honoured with a send-off celebration at which industry leaders praised their groundbreaking achievement. READ | SA's Tyla, Maglera Doe Boy and Dlala Thukzin strike a chord with 2025 BET nods Monde Twala, senior vice president and general manager at Paramount Africa and BET Lead, sees TxC's success as part of a larger movement of African musical excellence gaining global recognition. 'For me, it's about culture and storytelling. If you look at the continent, Africa has great talent. Music and the drumbeat are our anchor, rhythm, and vibe,' said Twala. We are the new frontier – it's Africa's time to shine on the global stage. Our music is from an Afrobeats perspective and an amapiano perspective. Hip hop did it, too – the AKAs have won international awards, and the Casspers have been nominated in the past. Twala highlighted a growing list of African artists making international waves, including Diamond Platnumz, Tiwa Savage, and many others, creating unprecedented opportunities for emerging talent. When asked about African music's global significance, Twala drew focus to the continent's cultural richness as its unique selling point. 'What African culture brings is gold right now. We are magic, but I think it comes from our diversity. If you look at how broad this continent is, all the countries and their vastness, and the dynamics in terms of tribes and languages, we are so dynamic, colourful, and exciting. That's the edge we bring to the world,' he explained. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BET Africa (@bet_africa) Reflecting on South Africa's growing BET Awards presence, he noted past successes from artists like Black Coffee, Babes Wodumo, AKA Nasty C, and Tyla's recent triumph. 'It's beautiful to see amazing talent male, female, young, old – being able to represent the continent,' he said. Young people today must focus on how they can build their brands beyond borders, collaborate with artists across the continent, create business in music outside South Africa, and earn in dollars. He highlighted strategic brand development for artists seeking international success as a key goal up-and-comers should strive for. 'It's about being well-packaged. Always think about how you can package your brand as an artist. Have the right people around you,' he advised. 'It's about exploring new markets. If you're popular in Jozi, think about how to be popular in Lagos and then build your brand in Kenya, New York, and London. Today, we have social media and the internet, making African content and artists accessible worldwide. You have to take advantage of new media. ' News24 reached out to the BET award winners, who were unavailable for comment owing to the time difference and booked public engagements in Los Angeles.
