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The rise of Nigerian music over the last five years has been mind blowing. Long before afrobeats started gaining recognition from other parts of the world, the Nigerian Music industry has always worked to appreciate the essence of this genre of music before it started becoming accepted and going worldwide. This is where The Headies award comes in.
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The Headies award is regarded as the flagship award for afrobeats. It is known as Nigeria’s ‘biggest and most prestigious award’. It is the most consistent music award show in Nigeria established in the year 2006 till date. The award show aims to recognize the outstanding achievement in the Nigerian music industry. It occurs annually with the ceremony showcasing performances by already established and promising artists. With the level of consistency this award show already holds, a certain level of standard is expected from the organizers of the show, down to the production of the show, the performances from the artists as well as the categories of awards being given. However was this met in this year’s award show?
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Diving into the 15th edition of the Nigerian music awards. The Headies 2022 took place on Monday the 5th of September at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. This was the first time in the history of the award show that a change in location outside Lagos, Nigeria has taken place. With the change in location, it is fair to say it was quite/highly anticipated, with the assumption of an improved production and entire quality of the show. An ‘American Standard’.
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However, was the Headies 2022 underwhelming to say the least? The expectation for an improved and organized show was immediately flatlined from the red carpet. It was disorganized. No signs of improvement as far as production and the expected rise in standard could not be seen or even appreciated. At some point during the red carpet show, the location became even questionable. It became apparent at that point as to whether a good show can be expected. As a viewer, the motivation to continue watching the show became ‘literally’ minute/Minuit.
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Spearheading the award presentation, the category for best rap album was awarded to Olamide for Carpe Diem. A well-deserved win. Categories ranging from best Vocal performance to best music video to best alternative album were all awarded. The most competitive category of awards this year at the Headies ranged from the Best street-hop artist, next rated, best afrobeats single of the year to the song of the year. Goya Menor, BNXN, Peru (Fireboy DML) and Essence (Wizkid & Tems) emerged as winners in these categories.
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The award show was relatively better than the red carpet. Pheelz kickstart’s the award show performing his hit single ‘Finesse’. The performances cuts across artists such as Bnxn, Ladipoe, Ruger, Lojay, Asake, Fireboy Dml, Adekunle Gold. With standout performances from Kcee with his cultural performance. He does not shy away from tradition but rather embraces it which was lovely to see and appreciate. Same could be said for Flavour’s performance as well. With Dbanj, who was awarded the Special Recognition (Talent) award having the best performance of the show. He closed the award show performing his hit songs Oliver Twist and fall in love amongst others with such high energy and reception from the audience. The award show in general was unimpressive/unexciting from the performances to the presentation of awards. Honestly, I believe conversation needs to be had on the lackadaisical attitude of afrobeats artists towards live performances.
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The Headies 2022 felt disingenuous. From the location of this year’s award show which can be said to be inconsiderate to the consumers of show (Nigerians), to the timing which was also not favorable to the consumers of the show, to the veering away from having Nigerian presenters. It all felt performative. The need for validation from international acts is ruining the excitement and joy of afrobeats. Which could be seen from this year’s show.
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Regardless of what we may all like to accept, the Headies is meant to be our main award show in Nigeria. With how big/huge our entertainment industry has gotten and with 15 years under the belt, there has been no signs of improvement in any category. It says a lot since the production and entire quality of the show has been the same since 2006.
Conversation needs to be had on improving other aspects of the entertainment industry.
It is fair to say that though there was a change in location for the Headies 2022 it still retained its Nigerian aesthetics. Shabby.
