Tyla Earns 2026 Soul Train Award Nomination for Chanel as Fans Get Historic Voting Power

South African pop sensation Tyla has secured another major milestone in her international music career after earning a nomination at the 2026 Soul Train Awards for her hit song Chanel. The global star is competing in the R&B/Soul Song of the Year category, placing her alongside some of the biggest names in contemporary music. Nigerian singer Tems is also nominated in the same category for her song What You Need, making the two African artists part of a competitive lineup dominated by established international performers. This year’s nomination is particularly significant because BET has opened the R&B/Soul Song of the Year category entirely to public voting for the first time in the awards franchise’s history. Fans now have an opportunity to support Tyla directly, with voting scheduled to close on 16 October 2026 ahead of the awards broadcast on 27 November 2026.

Tyla’s nomination for Chanel adds to a growing list of achievements that have established her as one of South Africa’s most recognisable musical exports. Known for blending contemporary pop with African musical influences, she has developed an international audience through her distinctive sound, visual identity and successful releases. Chanel continues that journey, earning significant attention on streaming platforms and strengthening her position in the global music industry. The Soul Train Awards nomination also places her work within a major R&B and soul category rather than limiting her recognition to an international music category. For South African music fans, her inclusion represents another opportunity to see a homegrown artist compete alongside prominent names in the international entertainment industry.

The 2026 nomination is Tyla’s second recognition at the Soul Train Awards. She previously received her first nomination in 2023 in the Best New Artist category, marking an early moment in her international breakthrough. Since then, her profile has continued to expand as her music reaches audiences across different markets. Her latest nomination reflects the continued attention surrounding her work and the growing presence of African artists in mainstream global music. It also demonstrates how an artist’s career can develop from emerging talent recognition to consideration in a major song category.

Chanel is central to this latest achievement because of its performance and growing audience reach. According to the figures provided for the nomination, the track has accumulated more than 417 million streams on Spotify alone, making it Tyla’s third most-streamed song on the platform. Streaming numbers can help demonstrate a song’s reach, although they do not by themselves determine the outcome of an award. The track’s nomination places its musical qualities and cultural impact alongside those of songs released by established international artists. With fans now able to vote directly in the category, Chanel’s audience engagement could become an important part of the awards conversation.

The public voting arrangement is one of the most notable changes associated with the 2026 Soul Train Awards. BET has opened the R&B/Soul Song of the Year category entirely to public voting, marking a first for the awards franchise. This gives listeners a direct role in deciding which nominated song receives the honour. The change places greater emphasis on fan participation and gives artists an opportunity to mobilise their audiences during the voting period. For Tyla, whose music reaches listeners across different countries, the arrangement creates a chance for her international fan base to take part in the process.

Fans who want to support Tyla can cast their votes through the official BET website before the voting deadline on 16 October 2026. The deadline makes the period leading up to the awards an important time for audience participation. Supporters can help spread awareness of the nomination and encourage other listeners to take part in the public vote. However, the final result will depend on the voting process rather than streaming figures alone. The opportunity gives fans a direct way to express their support for Chanel and Tyla’s contribution to contemporary R&B and soul music.

The R&B/Soul Song of the Year category features a competitive selection of artists and releases. Tyla’s Chanel faces Bruno Mars’ I Just Might, Chris Brown featuring Bryson Tiller with It Depends, Daniel Caesar’s Who Knows and Justin Bieber’s Yukon. The lineup also includes Kehlani’s Folded, Mariah the Scientist featuring Kali Uchis with Is It a Crime, Olivia Dean’s Man I Need and Tems’ What You Need. Each nomination brings a different musical style and audience to the category. The variety of artists reflects the range of sounds that currently shape R&B and soul, from established pop influences to more contemporary approaches to songwriting and production.

Tems’ nomination is especially notable for African music fans because it places another major African artist in the same category as Tyla. The Nigerian singer is recognised for What You Need, creating a moment in which two artists from the continent are competing for one of the awards’ key song honours. Their presence highlights the growing international reach of African musicians and the range of sounds emerging from different countries. Tyla and Tems have distinct musical identities, but both have attracted audiences beyond their home markets. Their nominations also provide a wider view of African participation in global popular music, where artists increasingly compete across genres rather than only in categories defined by geographic origin.

The recognition of Tyla and Tems also points to the changing relationship between African music and international award platforms. African artists have often received attention through categories focused on international music or specific regional genres. Their inclusion in a major R&B and soul category places their work within a broader conversation about contemporary popular music. This does not mean that regional categories have become unnecessary, but it shows that African artists are increasingly receiving recognition in categories that bring together performers from different musical backgrounds. Their nominations give audiences another opportunity to engage with the music being created across the continent and its influence on international listening habits.

The Soul Train Awards have long recognised achievements in soul, R&B and related forms of Black music. Their focus provides a platform for artists whose work contributes to these musical traditions while responding to contemporary trends. A nomination in the R&B/Soul Song of the Year category recognises a track as part of this wider musical landscape. According to the category description provided, the award considers songwriting, melody and vocal performance alongside a song’s broader impact. Streaming performance, radio airplay and chart results are also identified as factors in assessing a song’s reach, together with its cultural resonance. The combination of musical qualities and audience response helps explain why the category attracts attention from both industry observers and fans.

For Tyla, the nomination offers another opportunity to strengthen her standing in the international music industry. Her earlier Best New Artist nomination in 2023 marked a different stage of her career, while recognition for Chanel places the focus on a specific release and its impact. The public voting format also gives her supporters a more direct role than they would have in a category decided solely by an industry panel. Whether or not she wins, the nomination adds to the visibility of her music and creates another moment for audiences to engage with her work. It also places South African music within a wider conversation about the artists and songs shaping current international R&B and pop.

The 2026 Soul Train Awards are scheduled to air on 27 November 2026 at 02:00 South African Standard Time on BET. The broadcast will give viewers an opportunity to see which nominated artists receive recognition across the awards programme. For Tyla’s supporters, the event will be particularly meaningful because Chanel is competing in a category that now relies entirely on public voting, according to the announcement. The voting deadline of 16 October comes before the ceremony, making it important for interested fans to participate within the stated window. Viewers should check BET’s official channels for any updates to the voting arrangements or broadcast information.

Tyla’s 2026 Soul Train Award nomination for Chanel represents an important moment for the South African star and adds to the growing visibility of African artists in international music. Her inclusion alongside Nigerian singer Tems in the R&B/Soul Song of the Year category highlights the range of talent emerging from the continent and its growing presence across established musical genres. The decision to open the category entirely to public voting also gives fans a direct opportunity to support their favourite songs before the 16 October deadline. With the awards scheduled to air on BET on 27 November 2026, attention will turn to the nominees, their audiences and the songs that have connected with listeners. For Tyla, the nomination is another significant step in her global journey and a chance for fans to help celebrate the success of Chanel.