Nigerian singer Jaywon has issued a public apology to his colleague Ayra Starr after being accused of playing a role in her omission from the 67th Grammy Awards nominations. The controversy began following the announcement of the nominees, which left Ayra Starr off the list, sparking a wave of discussions and criticisms across social media.
Jaywon, who was recently inducted as a voting member of the Recording Academy in July, found himself at the centre of the backlash. The accusations against him intensified after a public feud between the two artists earlier this year. Following Ayra’s Grammy snub, Jaywon’s actions on social media further fueled the controversy.
He posted a photo of himself with two Grammy Awards, which many followers interpreted as a taunt directed at Ayra, who was notably absent from the prestigious list.
The backlash quickly escalated, with social media users slamming Jaywon for what they perceived as an attempt to mock Ayra Starr in her moment of disappointment. However, in an attempt to quell the growing tension, Jaywon took to X (formerly Twitter) to apologize directly to Ayra.
“If you see Ayra Starr, tell her I’m sorry she wasn’t nominated for this year’s Grammys. I’m a huge fan of her music, and I believe she’s one of the best female vocalists Africa has,” Jaywon wrote, expressing regret over the situation.
As a newly inducted voting member of the Recording Academy, Jaywon emphasized his commitment to supporting African artists and promoting their success. He further clarified his stance on the matter, writing: “On this side, we don’t pull people down. We elevate, not just for today, but for the future. Ola Inu Kan.”
Despite his apology, the response from X users remained largely sceptical, with many still accusing him of having some influence in Ayra’s Grammy snub. One user responded: “But you Dey among people wey debate for round table make she no dey na,” implying that Jaywon might have played a part in the decision-making process that led to her exclusion. Another user wrote: “Oya swear say you no dey part of the team whey against her nomination at the Grammy,” challenging his sincerity.
The public tension between the two artists dates back to earlier this year when Jaywon slammed Ayra and her supporters after a photo of him with Ayra circulated, with many mocking him. The fallout from that incident seemed to have lingered, as both artists became embroiled in an online dispute that heightened the controversy surrounding Ayra’s Grammy snub.
Despite the public apology, it appears the situation remains unresolved, with social media users still divided over the issue. For now, Jaywon’s gesture of reconciliation with Ayra Starr has not fully quelled the online backlash, and the debate over the role of artists and influencers in the Grammy nomination process continues to fuel heated discussions.