South Africa’s Amapiano duo TxC, composed of Tarryn Reid and Clairise Hefke, made history in June 2025 by becoming the first DJ duo to win the BET Award for Best New International Act. Their victory at the prestigious American awards show was celebrated widely, with fans flooding social media with congratulations and the duo proudly representing South African dance music on the global stage.
However, this landmark achievement has not been without controversy. Thakgi Ledwaba, co-host of the popular “Piano Pulse” podcast, publicly accused TxC of being “industry plants” — a term used to describe artists who achieve rapid success largely due to significant industry backing rather than organic growth or grassroots support. Ledwaba questioned how TxC could win such a major international award ahead of more established and internationally recognized Amapiano pioneers like Kabza De Small, Uncle Waffles, and Dlala Thukzin.
Ledwaba’s critique taps into a broader conversation about authenticity and recognition in the South African music scene. He argued that many deserving artists who have been instrumental in popularizing Amapiano both locally and internationally have yet to receive comparable accolades. The implication is that TxC’s swift rise and BET recognition may reflect industry maneuvering rather than pure merit or influence.
On the other hand, TxC’s win was the result of a public voting process on BET’s International Instagram page, where their nomination post garnered over 860,000 likes, indicating strong fan support. The duo themselves expressed humility and pride, emphasizing that their nomination and win break new ground for duos and female DJs in the genre, inspiring others who feel pressured to conform to traditional industry molds.
This controversy highlights the tension between industry influence and organic artist development in the digital age, especially within genres like Amapiano that have exploded in popularity worldwide. It also underscores the challenges South African artists face in gaining international recognition amid a competitive and often politicized awards landscape.
As the debate rages on, it is clear that TxC’s BET Award win has done more than just add a trophy to their shelf — it has sparked an important dialogue about fairness, representation, and the evolving dynamics of success in the music industry.
For fans and industry watchers alike, the key question remains: How do we balance celebrating new talent while ensuring pioneers and trailblazers receive their due recognition? TxC’s story is a vivid case study in this ongoing conversation.
