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Addressing the lack of award shows in Nigerian music

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Addressing the lack of award shows in Nigerian music

With 2025 just weeks away, it’s almost certain that there will be no Nigerian music award ceremony this year.

The perennial Headies Awards, the SoundCity MVP, and the continental music prize AFRIMA appear to have no plans to hold this year. Even Trace Awards which offered a ray of hope to the Nigerian music award circuit in 2023 is prime to have a gap year.

With no award gala to celebrate the feats recorded in 2024 in Nigerian music, this writer wonders what this glaring lack of structure says about the ecosystem.

How did we get here?

Nothing about Nigeria’s infrastructural decay is new. In fact, the struggles of the Nigerian music industry to develop structures that will consolidate its global rise are reflective of the country’s poor economic indices and lack of sustainable plans.

For nearly two decades, the Headies have been Nigeria’s foremost prize in music. The role it has played in celebrating Afrobeats’ success, documenting its trends and evolution, and endorsing future stars for greatness cannot be overstated.

In the past decade, the Headies have suffered setbacks due to the recurring issues of credibility peculiar to award ceremonies and a disturbing decline in the quality of production and execution. The Academy has struggled to retain the high standards it set for itself, and with Nigerian music gaining global recognition and stars winning international awards, the country’s biggest prize in music invariably had to take a back seat.

The Academy made a commendable attempt at a comeback through its partnership with the American Embassy whose patronage assisted them in holding consecutive ceremonies in Atlanta. However, the gains of the 16th Edition that saw two of the country’s biggest stars Rema and Asake in attendance may have been eroded with another inexplicable gap year.

It’s almost the same story for other awards ceremonies that kick off with promise but soon begin to struggle to stay consistent due to issues of funding, support, and a decided disinterest by Nigerian music superstars to lend their support to foster the credibility needed to build a strong foundation.

What Must Be Done


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This writer believes it’s an indictment on the Nigerian music ecosystem that there’s no single award ceremony in a calendar year.

This lack of structure in rewarding the works of the artists and stakeholders in the ecosystem is even more telling when one considers how Nigerian artists recently submitted their works en masse to the Recording Academy in the hopes of getting a nod.

Nigerian music cannot continue to make strides internationally while these gains are lost on the local industry where stakeholders appear to be solely focused on lining their pockets rather than building structures that will advance and sustain growth.

Economic factors remains the major hurdle with award bodies struggling to garner the financial support to build and maintain these ceremonies. To mitigate this, organisers and academies must lobby the appropriate ministries, agencies, and public officials for valuable governmental support.

In an impressive feat, the Nigerian music industry can boast of having one of its finest executives in the current government in Mr. Obi Asika who leads the National Council for Arts and Culture. Organisers must approach the government and private stakeholders with clear demands for support that will cushion economic challenges.

This writer also strongly holds the view that the Nigerian music award circuit needs new ideas and fresh faces that can reflect the yearnings of a new generation. The gatekeeping that shapes this part of the ecosystem must be replaced with bold and ingenious organisations ready and eager to build, scale, and stay consistent.

Kudos must be given to TurnTable Charts whose bold efforts in collating and documenting music data have created a chart reflective of local music consumption habits. The corresponding award also provides an avenue to celebrate the best-performing songs in the country.

The stars, labels, and all stakeholders in the ecosystem must show support to innovative platforms daring to build structures that can bring credibility and prestige to the Nigerian music award circuit.

While building structures is the first part, consistency, and innovation are what will create platforms that can endure the inevitable tantrums of artists who feel wronged. Nigerian music award organisers can take a lesson or two from the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award whose prestige is built on top-notch production, proper execution, and consistency.

Bottom Line

By and large, 2024 has come with many lessons for the Nigerian music ecosystem that still has little to show in terms of sustainable infrastructure.

Irrespective of how one feels about awards, they provide an avenue to reward excellence and document the music that shapes different eras. They are platforms that should be handed down to future generations as a worthy legacy.

Every serious music industry should be able to boast of a reputable award ceremony. It’s time for the Nigerian music ecosystem to get to work.
#Addressing #lack #award #shows #Nigerian #music


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Burna Boy apologises for dissociating himself from Afrobeats

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In a recent interview on The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with Eddie Kadi, the Grammy winner shared that with the knowledge he now possesses, he wouldn’t have made those disparaging comments on Afrobeats.

Readers will recall his infamous statement that Afrobeats lacked substance, which he made in a 2023 Interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music.

Burna Boy shared that the statement was born out of his long-standing decision to identify his music as Afro-fusion as opposed to the umbrella term Afrobeats, which is used to define Nigerian pop music and which he believes doesn’t adequately capture his music.

“I described it by music as Afro fusion because it was as if there was almost no place for it at home, and I had to create my own place for it”.

Retracting the statement, the global music star stated that at the time of making the statement, he didn’t know that Afrobeats was an umbrella term used in advancing Nigerian music as a collective rather than just being a music genre.

“I didn’t understand why everyone wanted my music to be inside one box”.

He said understanding the essence of Afrobeats as a movement has led him to appreciate the negative reactions to his comments.

“I didn’t understand that we needed an umbrella term for what we were doing to actually get somewhere,” he said on his realisation of the purpose of Afrobeats as a movement in advancing Nigerian music.

“If I understood this, I would have gone about it differently because why would I want to destroy what I am building?” he clarified.


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“I apologise for the confusion,” Burna Boy said on the division his statement caused.

Burna Boy’s explanation offers clarity on the reason behind his infamous statement, and his apology is an admirable move to take accountability.

The history-making star recently released his 8th album ‘No Sign of Weakness’, which features notable global stars including Mick Jagger, Travis Scott, and Stromae.

The Port Harcourt-born star is set to go on a tour of North America and Europe, where he will be headlining iconic venues.

Burna Boy’s full interview on The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with Eddie Kadi is available on streaming platforms.


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‘I almost got initiated to witchcraft’, actress Juliana Olayode

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Nollywood actress Juliana Olayode, popularly known as Toyo Baby for her role in Jenifa’s Diary, has alerted the public to the prevalence of witchcraft as she told the story of how she almost got initiated.

In a video she shared on her Instagram page alongside a long caption, she warned that some people may have already been initiated into witchcraft without even knowing.

The actress who is an outspoken Christian advocate stated that witchcraft is now “everywhere around us”, and not even “hiding anymore”

READ ALSO: Sex, other sexual activities only for married people – Actress Juliana Olayode

On how she was almost initiated, she recounted how she was casually scrolling through her phone when she stumbled on an ad asking, “Have you ever broken a bone before?”

She said she clicked the link out of sheer curiosity and almost immediately, a strong, unsettling feeling overwhelmed her which made her snap out of it and she closed the site, wondering why she clicked the link in the first instance.

Writing in the caption of the video, Olayode warned the public to be watchful of the gatherings, churches, movies, music and novels they expose themselves to, noting that it is important for them to guard their hearts.

She wrote, “Witchcraft is everywhere these days, they’re not hiding anymore, they’re not waiting for midnight to fly, as most of us think. Witchcr@ft is everywhere around us.

RELATED: Actress Olayode Juliana fumes over ‘Is your husband single?’ comments


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“They operate every hour of the day, it looks very attractive, it looks like you’re on the right path, it looks like you’re trying to satisfy your curiosity, it looks “good” but be careful because not all that looks good is good.

“Don’t fall for the lie that you’ve been here before, nobody has. Also, just because they tell you something you’re experiencing or have gone through, doesn’t mean it’s through the right spirit. Remember Acts 16:16-18?

“Be careful what you expose yourself to, be careful who you expose yourself to, be care the “spiritual” gathering you attend, be careful what church you go to, be very careful and very discerning.

“Like I said, you don’t have to click the link to be initiated, a lot of people are already initiated into witchcr@ft and they don’t even know. It probably happened through the movie they watched, the music they listened to, a novel they read, a witch store they followed their friends to in the name of “collecting arts or pieces from a witchcraft themed movie they saw”.

READ ALSO: Juliana Olayode slams Olympics over blasphemous drag queen opening ceremony

“Now you’re having nightmares, you notice a strange presence in your room, you’re depressed, you feel like something is following you, you hear strange voices or strange movements in your house, you have anxiety or you live in so much fear.

“Some people will even deceive into burning incense to remove dark energy etc. It’s all a trap!!!

“Some of these things happen because you unconsciously gave these spirits access to your life. You gotta guard your gates, the gates to your soul. You gotta be very careful, very prayerful and highly discerning.

The actress warned that “the enemy is not sleeping”, while also urging her followers to become “born-again Christians”

READ ALSO: ‘My husband can never kiss me’: Veteran Yoruba actress discloses


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Purp Breaks the Streak, Becomes the Third Female to Win Nigerian Idol Season 10 After 6 Years

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After 12 thrilling weeks filled with show-stopping performances, heartfelt moments, and fierce vocal battles, Nigerian Idol Season 10 has officially come to an end, and 25-year-old Anu Agosa, better known as Purp, has emerged as the winner.

In a live finale aired on Sunday, Purp faced off against fellow finalist Raymu in a showdown that tested their vocal prowess, stage presence, and audience connection. In the end, it was Purp who won over the nation and secured the highest number of votes to become Nigerian Idol 2025.

A Night of Nostalgia and Celebration

Hosted by media personality IK Osakioduwa, the Nigerian Idol Season 10 finale was a night to remember, bursting with emotion, star power, and unforgettable performances that celebrated a decade of musical excellence. As the show marked its milestone 10th season, the atmosphere was rich with nostalgia and heartfelt moments.

The evening kicked off with eliminated contestants returning to the stage for a high-energy rendition of “Good Samaritan” by Ayra Starr, reminding fans of the season’s most dynamic voices. Past winners and standout contestants from previous seasons also made special appearances, coming together for a memorable performance of “Water” by Tyla.

In a surprising and delightful twist, IK showed off his vocal chops in a vibrant rendition of “Jerusalema” by Master KG, joining forces with Ric Hassani, Iyanya, and the two finalists for a standout performance.

Season 9 winner Chima, fan favourite Precious Mac from season 8, and Praise, winner of this season’s Bigi Idol, delivered solo sets that showcased the long-lasting influence of the Nigerian Idol stage in launching real talent.

Adding a sweet touch to the celebration, Ric Hassani handed out cupcakes to the live audience in honour of the 10-season milestone. Omawumi took the spotlight soon after with a powerful live performance of her latest single “In Love”, bringing extra star power to an already electrifying night.

Then came the final performances by the Top 2 contestants. Raymu entertained the audience with a moving cover of “Titanium” by David Guetta ft. Sia, while Purp channelled pure soul and strength in her rendition of “Respect” by Aretha Franklin. Both finalists delivered spine-tingling performances.

Life-Changing Prize Package

As the new Nigerian Idol, Purp will walk away with a life-changing prize package, including a brand new SUV, a N30 million cash prize, a DStv Explora with a one-year premium subscription, and a chance to become Nigeria’s next big music star with a recording deal.


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A Historic Win

Purp‘s victory is particularly significant as she becomes the third female winner in the show’s history, breaking a six-year streak since the last female champion. Her triumph represents not just personal achievement but a milestone for female representation in the competition

From auditions to live shows, Nigerian Idol Season 10 has been a whirlwind of talent, passion, and unforgettable stories. And now, the journey begins for one rising star as she prepares to take the Nigerian music industry by storm.

Fans can relive the finale and past performances on GOtv & DStv Stream and Showmax. As a bonus, subscribers who reconnect or upgrade before July 31 enjoy an automatic bouquet upgrade at no extra cost via the ongoing GOtv “We Got You” campaign.

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