Among the many powerful narratives to emerge from the 2025 BET Awards in Los Angeles, one victory felt particularly momentous. When the South African DJ duo TxC—the formidable pair of Tarryn Reid and Clairise Hefke—took to the stage to accept the award for Best New International Act, it signalled more than just a personal achievement. It was a validation of a cultural movement and a powerful statement on the evolving landscape of global music. This was, in every sense, TxC’s historic BET win.
What makes this victory so significant? With this award, TxC becomes the first-ever DJ duo to receive recognition in this category. The award marks an institutional acknowledgment of the DJ as a primary artist, a creative force, and a global star in their own right. As Clairise Hefke rightly noted, the award is a
“big deal for dance music as a country.”
The win is also a testament to the duo’s pre-awards sentiment. Speaking to IOL weeks before the ceremony, they reflected on the nomination itself.
“Being the first duos to be nominated feels like we’re breaking new ground,”
they shared,
“…not just for ourselves, but for everyone who’s ever felt like they’ve had to fit into a box to succeed.”
Their victory turns that hope into a tangible reality, creating a powerful blueprint for other female and duo acts across the continent.
Let us not forget the scale of this achievement. TxC won against a diverse and incredibly talented field of nominees from Nigeria, Tanzania, Brazil, France, and the UK. A passionate fanbase helped propel them to victory, with their nominee announcement post on Instagram garnering over 860,000 likes—a digital groundswell of support.
Ultimately, TxC’s historic BET win feels like the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another. It solidifies Amapiano‘s place at the highest level of international music awards. More importantly, it champions the female artists and DJs who are at the forefront of its innovation. Their victory is not just a win for the duo from Gqeberha; it is a win for the entire culture they so brilliantly represent.
