Entertainment

How Winners Are Selected – Grammys’ CEO

Published

2 years ago

February 7, 2024

Editor

Harvey Manson Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, the organising body for the Grammy Awards, has revealed how winners are selected for the prestigious music award.

This comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding the 2024 Grammy Awards, where several Nigerian artists, including Burna Boy, Davido, Asake and Ayra Starr could not secure a win in their respective categories.

Addressing the concerns in a viral video, Manson said that Grammy winners are chosen based on votes from members of the Recording Academy, who are music professionals in the United States.

He said that the selection process is not influenced by committees, labels, or journalists.

“You have to understand that the only way to win is to have the member of the academy vote for you. To be a member of the academy you have to be a professional, working in music in the United States for now. Hopefully, we grow that,” he said.

“But right now, if you are working professionally in the United States you can become a member of the recording academy.

“Once you are a member of the recording academy, all the music is submitted, the members listen to it and they evaluate it on the quality of the art.

“Not the sales, not the streams, not how many fans, but purely on the opinion. It is very hard, as you all know because it is subjective.

“It is no best song or best record, it is just the opinion of that membership of that particular year. That is how you win a Grammy. The voters vote. There is no committee, no journalist, and there are no labels.

“It is the music professionals voting for their peers,” he said.

Jay Z, the US rapper, also slammed the Grammy Awards for “never giving” Beyonce, his wife, ‘Album of the Year’ category in spite of her impressive record of 32 wins.

During Jay-Z’s acceptance speech for the Dr Dre Global Impact Award at the Grammys, he stated further: ‘“some of you will go home tonight and feel like you’ve been robbed, some of you may be robbed, some of you don’t even belong in the categories.”

Also, last year, Angelique Kidjo said the Grammy Awards need to embrace “diversity and gender equality” to survive.

Greg Carr, associate professor in the Department of Afro-American studies at Howard University, says the music industry was built on exclusion.

“Once exclusion was no longer an option, the inclusion of Black music has been curated, at least historically, very carefully, to absorb that music while minimizing black people,” he says.

Recall that the grammys snub sparked widespread disappointment and frustration among fans and the Nigerian music community.

Social media platforms are flooded with expressions of disappointment, as fans lament the loss of their favourite stars.

The Best African Music Performance category saw South Africa’s Tyla emerge victorious with her song, “Water”.

Also, in the much-anticipated Best Global Music Album category, Davido and Burna Boy fell short, with Shakti’s “This Moment” clinching the coveted award.

The hashtag, #GrammySnubNaija, trended on X formerly Twitter, with fans venting their frustration over what they perceived as a missed opportunity for Nigerian music to gain international recognition.

The Twitterverse became a virtual town square for fans to voice their disappointment, frustration, and disbelief.

NaijaMusicLover tweeted, “I can’t believe what I just witnessed. All our hopes dashed in one night. Davido and Burna Boy deserved better.”

X user, @AfrobeatsQueen, shared a meme of a shocked face, captioned, “Me watching the Grammys realising they really snubbed our Nigerian kings. #ShameOnGrammys.”

@NaijaJollofQueen wrote, “This is beyond heartbreaking. Our artistes have been making waves globally, and the Grammys failed to acknowledge their impact. Disappointed but not defeated. We’ll keep shining.

In a series of passionate tweets, @MusicAficionado expressed, “It’s not just about winning awards. Nigerian music has influenced the world. Our artistes have elevated the game. Grammy or not, we are a force to be reckoned with. #NaijaStandUp.”

Celebrities also joined the conversation stating, “Sending love and respect to our stars who gave their all. We see your hard work and dedication. The Grammys might have missed it, but the world knows who runs the show. #NaijaToTheWorld,” they said.

In spite of the disappointment, some X users emphasise the need to focus on the bigger picture.

@AfrobeatInsider tweeted, “Let’s not forget the impact Nigerian music has made globally. Awards are just one part of the journey. Our artistes have opened doors for Afrobeats worldwide. The movement continues.”

Burna Boy received four nominations in 2024: Best Melodic Rap Performance (“Sittin’ on Top of the World” with 21 Savage); Best Global Music Performance (Alone); Best African Music Performance (City Boys) and Best Global Music Album (I Told Them).

Entertainment

Nollywood Actress, Mercy Aigbe, Loses Mother

Published

3 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe, on Tuesday announced the death of her mother.

The actress shared the sad news on Instagram with a candlelight image against a broken heart background, captioned: “R.I.P Mum.”

The announcement drew a wave of condolence messages from colleagues, fans, and friends in the entertainment industry.

Actress Iyabo Ojo wrote: “So sorry ore, may her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”

Actress Dayo Amusa wrote, “My sincere condolences, Agbeke.”

Motilola also wrote: “So sorry, Momma. Accept my condolences.”

Actor Bolanle Ninalowo stated, “My condolences, sis.”

Other celebrities like Omowunmi Ajiboye and Tayo Faniran also sent in their sympathy messages, praying for the repose of her mother’s soul.

Entertainment

Why I Leaked, Circulated My 2021 Sex Tape —Tiwa Savage

Published

3 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

Nigerian singer and songwriter, Tiwatope Savage, popularly known as Tiwa Savage, has revealed that her 2021 leaked sex tape was circulated as part of a bet, describing the experience as one of the most painful moments of her life. The Afrobeats star also disclosed that she has remained celibate for the past three years.

The revelation was made during an interview with The Breakfast Club, released on Tuesday, where she spoke candidly about how the scandal affected her personal life, career, and mental health.

“Savage said she initially coped with humour and by channelling the pain into her songs, but admitted the episode cut deeper.

“When I talked about the sex tape … that’s how I was able to kind of like, try and get through it. But in hindsight, did I really deal with it? I don’t think so. I was hurt… I was a victim,” she said.

She revealed that while her boyfriend at the time claimed the tape was leaked accidentally, she later learned it had been circulated as part of a bet.

“He said he was trying to save it, and then he pressed send by accident… I later on found out that it was a bet with his friends,” she said.

The singer added that many assumed she staged the leak for attention.

“They thought I did it for PR. A lot of people thought, ‘oh, she’s not relevant anymore, and she’s doing this.’ And I’m like, guys, trust me, if I wanted to do that, I would have had better lighting,” she said.

Attempts to pursue the case also failed because of the emotional toll.

“We tried, actually. But yeah, we couldn’t. And me trying was just, it was just too traumatic for me to keep talking about it. I just wanted to move on from it,” she explained.

Savage said the backlash from the public, including attacks on her role as a mother, was harder to bear than the tape itself.

“They brought my son into it and said I was unfit… my son’s gonna grow up and see this and he’s gonna be disappointed in his mom. That hurt me more than the actual thing,” she said.

She noted the experience has influenced her music, with some songs still too painful to perform.

“There were a lot of times I was crying, especially the first record. That took me like four attempts to record. Even now when I listen to the album, I skip that. I haven’t been able to perform it. It was tough,” she said.

Despite the trauma, she credited her family for their support.

“My mom called me and said, ‘don’t listen to them… I’m just happy that you’re enjoying yourself.’ Hearing my mom say that helped,” Savage added.

The singer also revealed she has been turning to therapy and has shifted how she views love and intimacy.

“For therapy, yeah, a lot of people say to me you’re wasting your money. I’m like, what? I love my son, I love my team, my friends. I’ve been married before, I’m 45, I’m good,” she said.

On her personal life, Savage admitted she has gone years without intimacy and doesn’t chase it outside of meaningful connections.

“I don’t know if I don’t come attached. I’ve gone like maybe three years without. I have to be with someone for me to even think about it. I don’t have toys… maybe that’s what people should get me for Christmas,” she joked.

Entertainment

BBNaija: I Will Never Go Back On Reality Show – Seyi Awolowo Vows

Published

3 days ago

September 21, 2025

Editor

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Seyi Awolowo, has vowed never to return to the show if given the opportunity.

Featuring in a recent episode of the Old Secrets podcast, Awolowo lamented that he allowed himself to be bullied by “very low, insignificant and uneducated people” by accepting to be on the show and vowed not to allow that again.

He explained that if he could go back in time, he still wouldn’t change any of his actions in the house, stressing that he has already been chastised and have learned from his mistakes.

He, however, lamented the attitude of some educated elites who also joined in bullying out of convenience.

“I will never go back to the show, Multichoice can’t even call me…

“I allow myself get bullied by very very insignificant and uneducated people. Not to mention the educated ones amongst that have the ability to see the truth but because of convenience, refused to stand by it,” he said.