One thing that disturbs me about Nigerian musicians is their arrogance. Once they taste fame, they feel they are invincible or bigger than everyone. I know many people, including non-artistes, have their reservations for The Headies, which is set up to celebrate Nigerian music and musicians.
They feel it is not credible enough and gives awards to the highest bidders, though no one has come up with any concrete evidence. I feel the same too, at times. But even if The Headies appears to have its own flaws, it is not enough for artistes to ridicule it.
For a fact, I do not think there is a top award ceremony that does not stir controversies. For every award ceremony, there are always winners. And it is just normal for the unlucky ones to be unhappy and feel cheated or robbed. But award should not be a do-or-die affair, as most Nigerian artistes have turned it to. If you are not so lucky this year, the next edition could be yours.
For instance, Kiss Daniel and Falz did not receive awards at the 2015 Headies, despite having quite an impressive year, but they were some of the stars of the last edition. Though everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, I was a bit disappointed when DJ Jimmy Jatt, in an opened letter, after the clash between Olamide and Don Jazzy, riddled The Headies and its organisers. I was disappointed because I felt he should know better.
Jimmy Jatt shared, “Headies as an award should be credible and not just over hyped. We have hundreds of award shows every year in Nigeria, and they are not as controversial as this one. Headies as an award is still not appreciating certain artistes, producers, entertainers and DJs, who work 24/7 to make sure they bring out the best. They give us the impression that once you are not nominated or you do not win, you have not started your career. This is a big lie.
“Over the years, all Ayo Animashaun and HipTv family have proven is that it is money over integrity and that is why he always ignores the choices of majority of Nigerians or could it be that they innocently don’t even know what they are doing?…”
No one has said The Headies is perfect or devoid of corrupt practices, but setting out to undermine the efforts of the promoters does not add any good as well. If the awards ceremony continues to fail, it is also our failure as an industry. I see it as our version of America’s Grammy; it is the biggest musical awards ceremony in Nigeria.
At the 2016 edition, it was appalling that most artistes that were awarded did not come to pick up their awards. Ill Bliss, who won two awards did not show up; Patontanking failed to show up; Simi failed to pick up hers too and Olamide was nowhere near the venue. Even the gesture of Phyno, when he came to pick up his award for the ‘Song of the Year,’ left nothing to be desired. It was as if they forced him to come out. He did not show signs of appreciation to the organisers. Even if he had grudges with the organisers, the fans who voted for him deserved to be treated better.
Big names like Don Jazzy, MI, Ice Prince, Tiwa Savage, Davido, Psquare, Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, Reekado, Korede Bello and a host others did not show up.
While some claimed they were engaged on that day, I am sure many of them deliberately shun the ceremony.
I also do not why Tekno’s fans keep saying that the organisers deliberately disqualify him, because they knew he would collect the controversial ‘Next Rated’ category. When he felt he was bigger than the category, what do you expect of them? The organisers, in a letter to Tekno’s management, had addressed it.
They wrote, “Kindly consider this a follow up to our earlier letter sent to you on December 15, 2016. Tekno has unfortunately not made himself available for any of the mandatory activities, hence, the committee’s decision to effectively withdraw his nomination this year. As communicated in our letter to you, the window for participation officially closed on Friday, December 16. The decision is final and irrevocable. We wish you the best, always.”
One thing for sure is that no matter how much neglect the awards ceremony suffers in the hands of certain Nigerian artistes, it might take little or nothing from it.
To some extent, controversies have helped it to be one of most anticipated yearly. And I believe Headies is bigger than any artiste. Maybe we could all see meanings in Daddy Showkey’s belief.
Inasmuch as he appreciates this generation of artistes, Daddy Showkey feels they are not humble enough. He shared, “I grew up on the streets; I made the wealth, the wealth does not make me. If my wealth would make me to forget my person, I do not want to be wealthy. Remember that I started from Ajegunle, from nothing to something.
If I could still go back to my neighborhood and still fraternise with my friends, I do not see why fame changes these people.
“In life, always think that a time will come when your humbleness and the way you relate with people would sustain you. Without people, entertainers are nothing.”
