Organisers of the Headies Award on Tuesday released the much anticipated nominees list for the 15th edition of the award scheduled to hold in the United States of America and there are indications that this might be the most keenly contested one yet.
Having expanded the award categories to more than 35, the Headies seems to be on a rebranding mission following reviews it got from previous editions.
Primarily a Nigerian music award scheme, this year’s edition has, however, been expanded with categories for different regions in Africa in an attempt to attract more followers within the continent and possibly increase its international recognition and acceptance.
Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ and Arya Starr’s ‘Bloody Samaritan’ clinched nominations in multiple categories. There are some first timers who also copped nominations like Mavins’ signee Magixx and Zazoo crooner, Portable, amongst other fast rising artistes.
For the most competitive category in the Headies, ‘The Next Rated’, everything seems to be as expected as music fans have pointed out that there are no surprises this year as all Nominees have truly displayed the potential to rise to the top in the nearest future.
For this 15th Headies, debutants such as Ayra Starr, Ruger and Lojay were all nominated for the award category. Also nominated are BNXN (formerly known as Buju) and Marian Music artiste, Zinoleesky.
The winner of ‘The Next Rated’ will go home with a brand new Bentley 2022 edition, according to organisers.
While the Headies may have compiled the list of performing artistes who have been exceptional in the year under review, some artistes may appear to have been snubbed as far as the nominations are concerned.
Yemi Alade, Tekno, Peruzzi, Mayorkun, Ckay might be some of the prominent names in this category.
Yemi Alade who released her 2021 EP ‘QueenDonCom’ to the delight of her teeming fans didn’t get any nomination at this year’s Headies.
Similarly, Mufasa, the single from Nigerian singer and songwriter, Tekno, seems not enough to help the ‘Pana’ crooner get the attention of the awards jury.
While Davido clinched nominations for ‘Song of the Year’ and ‘Artiste of the Year’, his DMW signee, Peruzzi and former signee, Mayorkun, didn’t make it to the nominations list.
Surprisingly, Ckay whose hit single, ‘Love Nwatintin’, topped charts and was adjudged one of the most successful songs of 2021 only got a mention on Arya Starr’s ‘Beggie Beggie’ in the ‘Best Collaboration’ category.
Tuesday’s nominations came about two weeks after the special evening for Headies at the home of the United States’ Consular in Lagos which was packaged to formally unveil this year’s host city as Atlanta in the USA.
The 15th Headies is scheduled to hold on Sunday 4th September, 2022 at the COBB Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia.