The Headies Awards is a music award scheme that was created in 2006 by the Nigerian Hip Hop World Magazine to honor outstanding accomplishments in the country’s music sector.
Established, as well as burgeoning musicians get the opportunity to perform during the yearly recognition event.
On October 19, 2019, the Eko Convention Center in Victoria Island in Lagos, Nigeria, hosted the inaugural event.
The ceremony held under the theme “Power of a Dream”, was presided over by actress Nancy Isime and Nigerian artiste, Reminisce.
Despite the impressive accomplishments over the years, some Nigerians are questioning why the awards event is held in the United States of America and not Nigeria.
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Some of these critics claimed that a cover-up attempt was being made, while others claimed that the organizers were attempting to gain the support of the international community.
In 2022, the Headies Awards, was co-hosted by Anthony Anderson and Terrence J., an American actor and TV show host.
There are very few circumstances under which hosting a nation’s most prestigious award show abroad should even be taken into consideration, especially in a country like Nigeria, which should be working to protect its music against appropriation.
All of these point to the Headies placing a higher priority on producing a great show above any other reason.
Even though several Nigerians have questioned the decision to host the event abroad and expressed their displeasure on social media over same, the show’s organizers have not tried to make up for it.
Instead, what patrons get is a half-formed appeal to the African homeland, which is not a bad thing considering how well-liked Nigerian music is becoming in other parts of the world.
Burna Boy, Asake, Ayra Starr, others nominated for 2023 MTV EMA
Speaking about awards, Afrobeats+ earlier reported that a number of Afrobeats creators have been nominated for the 2023 MTV EMAs.
Some of nominees for the popular awards scheme include French superstar, Aya Nakamura, and Nigerian singers, Asake, Arya Starr, Burna Boy, Davido and Rema.
Apart from a new Afrobeats category, the genre featured prominently in other categories. Nigerian singer Rema’s hit remix with Selena Gomez, Calm Down, was nominated in the Best Song and Best Collaboration categories.