Entertainment

Headies 2022: How US Event Frustrated Artistes, Others

Published

3 years ago

September 10, 2022

Editor

Mixed reactions have trailed the 2022 Headies Award ceremony held at the Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

Unlike previous years, the organizer of the 15th edition held the show outside Nigeria. The event was hosted by American entertainer, Anthony Andersen, alongside Nigerian actress, Osas Ighodaro.

This year’s edition, titled: ‘Join the Movement’, celebrated outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry, but there was a general outcry regarding the hosting in the United States.

Grammy award-winning singer, Burnaboy, Wizkid and Tems were the top winners at the Headies, while BNXN FKA Buju won the Next Rated category, taking home a Bentley.

However, some Nigerians, who frowned at the decision to host the award in the US, said they could not relate with the American host, Anthony Andersen.

Others, who thought Andersen was a wrong choice, queried why other Nigerian hosts like Bovi or Basket mouth were not given the opportunity to host the prestigious award.

Here are some of the reactions as compiled by DAILY POST:

@_AsiwajuLerry on Twitter said, ”We have an outstanding and funny host like Bovi and you’re letting this dry brother host with Osas?? God will judge you Headies.”

@itzbasito, “Walahi, Bovi or Basketmouth would have done a better job than this guy. Not that he’s not good but he’s finding it hard to connect with the audience.”

@ilevs, ”It is just like saying Bovi is cracking Naija jokes to US citizens,they might not laugh because they don’t understand the type of our jokes, not that he is not funny. Every comedian knows what can make their citizens to laugh, that’s just the situation Anthony is in now.”

@DanielRegh, ”Headies’ nominees shouldn’t attend the event, anyone who’s smart will turn down the award even if they win cos attending or accepting the award is disgraceful. Imagine hosting one of Africa’s biggest Music awards in another continent. This is why foreigners keep underrating us.

@abelpter, ”Anthony Anderson and Osas Ighodaro would be hosting the 2022 Headies awards. I honestly still don’t understand why the Headies award is being hosted in the US. That’s something no other African country would do. The Nigerian Obsession with Foreign/ American validation is insane.”

@Felix_Onyemaech, ”Headies took Nigeria’s biggest music award show to Yankee. One of the most unintelligent decisions I’ve seen. This is why Burna boy say they don’t rate us.”

On why the award was taken to the US, Headies founder, Ayo Animashaun told Billboard that ”Over the years, the Afrobeats artists have grown, they’ve evolved. They’re no longer local champions. They sell out concert venues around the world, from Madison Square Garden to [Atlanta’s] State Farm Arena. Afrobeats is not just about our own music anymore.

”We need to take center stage, where there’s so many artists doing Afrobeats that nobody’s gonna see if you do not create opportunities like this. There’s so many now that a lot of people don’t know yet, and they are so talented.”

However, one of the organizers who pleaded anonymity lamented that most people who were to attend the show were frustrated.

Recall that Wizkid failed to show up at the event, alongside Burna Boy and several others.

The source told DAILY POST that some artistes were unable to attend in person because of either visa issues or other engagements.

He stated that if the event was held in Nigeria, artistes committed to other things would normally squeeze their time to attend.

”Some will have other events the same day, and will attend both, but in the case of the US event, they were unable to do that. This frustrated the event,” he said.

He added that many artists found it difficult to attend the event because of logistics issues as it is not easy spending so much for a US trip amid aviation fuel price hike.

“You know that international travels are quite expensive now. Many who should ordinarily attend couldn’t make it.

“People make events. Award plaque doesn’t make events, even journalists who were to cover the event could not make it and that was not good for the publicity,” he added.

But popular entertainment analyst and publisher of Paparazzi, Moji Danisa in reaction to the outcry, told DAILY POST that: ”The Headies which was held in the USA is not a bad idea. Nigeria music is all over the world, there is hardly a nightclub where our music is not played.

”We have Nigerians in the diaspora who will also want to witness the headies, and also there are a lot of Nigerians in the US. Music sells and the world is looking for different beats and they have embraced Nigeria, look at Burnaboy, Davido, Wizkid, Kizz Daniel, they are all doing well. It is not out of place to take it out of Nigeria. It could be taken to Germany, Uk. It is exposing our stars and music and exporting our culture, traditions and dance. I think I will like to congratulate the organizers for that initiative.”

Also, Musician and a partner of Lakreem Entertainment Inc, also Eedris Abdulkareem’s associate, Myke Pam commended the organizers for the initiative.

According to him, the Nigerian music industry will benefit from the exposure and would have opportunities for collaborations and more business.

He told DAILY POST that, ”The Headies did something quite commendable. The indigenous music industry of Nigeria is taking away the airwaves all over the world. You can see that through the recognition, through the awards and massive impact our music is making in the world.

”It is a big markup for Headies to be held in the US. It is a global brand, Afro beats as a music genre is a global brand that should be consumed, appreciated and loved by all. The US still remains the best in entertainment and if you can have a successful event there and a well-rounded media coverage, that is a big deal. I must commend the Lagos government for helping to achieve that dream, it is the beginning of a bigger picture. It is just like the thumbnail of a bigger billboard. It is wonderful.

” I know a lot of people will benefit from such exposure and have opportunities for collaborations and more business opportunities. That is good for the Nigerian economy, since some things seem not to be working in the administration, if entertainment is going to be feeding us and giving us some hope for a brighter tomorrow, it is worth celebrating.”

DAILY POST

Entertainment

Nigerian Filmmaker Dies In Canada

Published

14 hours ago

June 28, 2025

Editor

Renowned Nigerian filmmaker, director, and actor Kayode Peters has died. He passed away in Toronto, Canada, on the morning of Saturday, June 28, 2025, after a prolonged illness.

The announcement was made by his family through a statement posted on his official Instagram page.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved, Kayode Peters Adewumi, who passed on peacefully this morning June 28, 2025 in Toronto, Canada,” the statement reads.

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A post shared by Kayode Peters. (@kayodepeters1)

“KP braved, challenged and conquered a long time illness until his last breath this morning.

“KP, a cherished son, husband, father, brother, and friend, a gifted film maker, actor and producer whose work inspired many. Beyond his talent, it was his kindness, warmth, and generous spirit that truly defined him.

“He touched countless lives, both on and off the screen, and will be deeply missed.

“As we grieve this painful loss, we kindly ask for kindness and privacy while we take time to make arrangements for his funeral and to heal. Further details will be shared in due course.

“Thank you for your love, condolences, and continued support. — The Adewumi Family.”

Peters earned acclaim for his direction and production of stage plays and sitcoms. He rose to prominence in the early 2000s as the creator of the popular comedy series Flatmates. His contributions to projects like Extended Family further cemented his place as a leading figure in Nigeria’s modern theatre and television scene.

Entertainment

Paternity Dispute: Cubana Chief Priest Sues Alleged Baby Mama, Hellen Ati In Kenya

Published

4 days ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

Popular Nigerian socialite, Cubana Chief Priest, has filed a defamation lawsuit against his alleged baby mama, Hellen Ati in Kenya.

Recall that it all started in six months when the Kenyan woman accused Chief Priest of not taking responsibility for their two-year-old son.

Speaking in a video on social media, Hellen alleged that her short romantic encounter with Chief Priest in April 2022, led to their son’s pregnancy.

She alleged that several attempts made to reach him after giving birth proved abortive, because he blocked her on all channels of communication.

In response, Cubana who denied the allegation, insisted they had never met before.

Reacting to the development, Hellen called for a paternity test, a request that has been met with silence.

However, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, a Nigerian lawyer popularly known as DPA Family Clinic, shared a defamation suit filed by the Nigerian against Hellen in Kenya.

Confirming the development, Hellen in a video on her Instagram page said “Pascal thinks he can sue right? You know within yourself that you are supposed to be in jail by now, and you have audacity, after how many years of calling you to prove yourself innocent with a DNA test if you are sure that I’m lying against you.

“This is Kenya, my country, not Nigeria where you believe you can buy lawyers with your money or the hospital to change the DNA result. I didn’t defame you, I have only been calling you to do a paternity test but you refused. I can’t be silent by your lawsuit. I will continue to call you out until you do the needful”, she said.

Entertainment

BBNaija S9 Reunion: DJ Flow Reveals Why She Cut Ties With Ruthie

Published

4 days ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

BBNaija No Loose Guard housemate, DJ Flow, has opened up about the split of her decade-long friendship with her former pair Ruthie, revealing she cannot engage in conflicts on her behalf.

Speaking during the BBNaija No Loose Guard episode reunion, which began airing on June 23, 2025, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu questioned DJ Flow about the fallout with Ruthie and the reason behind it.

DJ Flow revealed that her ex-friend Ruthie understood her stance, as they had had conversations before coming on the show, knowing that she would not respond to drama even when it involves her. She stated that the final straw came when Ruthie granted an interview, making comments about her that left her disheartened.

In a candid conversation with the show host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, DJ Flow shared that the interview helped her realize it was time to end their friendship, explaining that despite their ten-year history, she has come to terms with the fact that their friendship had run its course.

The BBNaija experience, which was intended to strengthen their bond, ultimately led to the unraveling of their friendship. However, DJ Flow acknowledged that while she still cares for Ruthie and is willing to support her, she has chosen to move on due to irreconcilable differences.

She said, “I can have your back and support you, but I don’t have to go into a fight with you. We have had a conversation before where she is like, ‘Oh, if they are dragging one person on social media, will you respond?’ And I was like, ‘You know me. You know say I no go respond even if dem dey drag me, I no go respond, not to talk of someone else. It’s not my fight; why should I respond?’

“I try not to have regrets, but I just truly believe that as much as I cherish what we had for 10 years, I also have the belief that at the end of the day, we go through life with people, not completely do life with these people.

“But I think what really did it for me was the interview she had. When I saw that she did an interview speaking on me, I needed a reason. I needed to understand where she was coming from, and that interview just really did it for me and made me realise that I might have love for this person, but I feel like we’ve gotten to a point in life where we should just go our separate ways and that this person is just not good for my energy anymore, and that’s perfectly fine.”