The Nigerian entertainment industry is one sector making us proud as Nigerians. It is the medium through which our rich culture and arts are being exported to the whole wide world. Nigerians in the entertainment industry are really making us proud and are waving our green and white flag globally.
In an unusual way, the industry blessed us with two events on the 19th of October 2019; the Headies Award and the Starboy Fest was held the same night, forcing a lot of trending topics all over the internet.
Who knows if it was really planned? The Headies Award which is arguably Nigeria’s finest music award night organized by Hip Hop World Magazine to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry clashed with one of Nigeria’s finest artists, Wizkid’s Starboy Fest which was held in the United Kingdom. The top Nigerian artistes were in the UK to support Wizkid while a number of other celebrities were also on ground at the Eko Convention Center; venue of the 2019 Headies Award.
The Headies Award which was formerly known as Hip Hop World Award had TV personality Nancy Isime and Nigerian Rapper Reminisce as hosts for the 13th edition. Nigerian celebrities present includes Falz, Teni, IK Ogbonna, Alexx Ekubo, Denola Grey, Mercy Lambo, Ike, Toke Makinwa, Tacha, Dotun Cool FM, Mike, Rema, Pretty Mike, and several others.
The Starboy Fest was also star-studded even though it was held outside the continent. It has in attendance Nigerian & African musicians as well as football stars. Notable among them were Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Obafemi Martins, Skepta, Steflon Don, Naira Marley, Runtown, Ycee, Alex Iwobi, Reiss Nelson, Tammy Abraham, Fireboy DML, Reekado Banks, Afro-B, and several others.
What went down at the Headies Award
The 2019 Headies Award which was the 13th edition held at Eko Convention Center started at about 7 pm. The much-anticipated award night which is one of Nigeria’s most rewarding entertainment awards this time featured 29 unique categories to acknowledge and celebrate the work of various artists in different categories.
Among the categories is Best Recording of the Year; Best Pop Single; Best Rap Album; Producer of The Year; Best Reggae/Dancehall Single; Best Collabo; Next Rated, Best Vocal Performance Male & Female; and so on.
The night was all glitz and glamor as Nigerian celebrities turned up in style. They were seen in eye-catching outfits to celebrate the Nigerian version of Grammy Award. It was not just about fashion, however, as there were performances on stage by top artists.
Also, the last edition of the Big Brother Naija tagged ‘’Pepper dem’’ had its stars in attendance. Mercy Eke and lover Ike were stunning as they were styled by celebrity designer Swanky Jerry. Tacha, Seyi, Mike as well as its host, Ebuka were all on ground at the event.
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Teni, Burna Boy, and Falz were the biggest winners of the event. Teni went home with four awards which include the Best Recording of the Year, Best Pop Single, Best Vocal Performance, and Viewer’s Choice awards. Burna Boy won the Best Collabo and Artiste of the Year awards while Falz won the Best Rap Single, Best Rap Album, and Best Performer awards. Mavin’s Rema also went home with the Next Rated award and the prize car.
The highlights of the night include Big Brother’s Mike performing the hit song ‘Case’ with Teni and Tacha presenting an award which made her fans chanting ‘’No leave, no transfer’’, a line created by the reality TV show star. The Headies 2019 award was eventful even though it was boycotted by some top acts for Wizkid’s Starboy Fest.
What went down at Starboy Fest
The much anticipated Starboy Fest was held in the UK and just like the last time out, the O2 Arena, venue of the event was sold out. Wizkid earlier achieved the same feat in 2017, selling out the 20,000 seats. He did the same again in a night when the Nigerian industry award was going on simultaneously in Lagos, Nigeria.
The music festival kicked off on Friday, October 18, 2018, in Manchester, the UK with performances from Tiwa Savage, Terri, Ms. Banks, Eugy, Maleek Berry and Afro B.
The second day which clashed with the Headies award night had a line-up that includes Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Runtown, Reekado Banks, Fireboy DML, Naira Marley, Naffe Smallz, and so forth. Wizkid thrilled strong support of fans at the O2 Arena as he called upon stars on stars.
The singer also performed a string of his hits before a large section of camera lights and adulation. As stated by the superstar act, ‘’Tonight isn’t about Wizkid or Starboy. Tonight is about African music’’, and it was truly a night of taking Afro Beats to the world.
The highlights of the night were when Burna Boy sang his award-winning song ‘Ye’ on stage with Wizkid, as well as some funky moves made by the Nigerian stars.
Naira Marley also made the fans scream when he was called upon by Wizkid, he took the Zanku dance to another level as he performed his ‘Soapy’ song. The venue of the event couldn’t contain attendees as many others were outside the sold-out venue. It was really an outstanding night for Wizkid and African music.
Which of the events is more important?
It was not a good move for the organizers of the Headies Award to have it on the same day with Wizkid’s music festival. Some of the nominees and winners of the Headies were away with Wizkid in the UK.
Burna Boy a winner of multiple awards, Tiwa Savage, Fireboy DML, and co rated the UK event more than the Nigerian award night which seems to be losing its credibility. Past winners such as Reekado Banks, Runtown, Maleek Berry, Ycee, and co were also in the UK with Wizkid. In fact, one of the acts in London, Naira Marley tweeted @officialnairam1 ‘’Legwork bigger than headies 2019’’. Many Nigerians back at home enjoyed both shows as they watched the Headies in their homes and also streamed online to see the Starboy Fest.
A music fan, Olamilekan Falae says the Starboy Fest is more important because it had more celebrity appearances than the Headies. He stated for the fact that most of the artists that were given awards were in O2 Arena, Starboy Fest is bigger.
Another music lover, Mr. Adeloye Adeshina has this to say about the events: “Firstly, I think it was a wrong move by the Headies organizers putting the award night the same night Wizkid was having his music fest. Well, as for me, I was glued to Headies, people spending their hard-earned money to celebrate and honor our artists”.
“It is a shame some of the top artists don’t even rate the award night anymore. The same night, Wizkid carried our top artists to the UK & showed the Afro-beat to the world. Both events were good for our music industry, so I won’t choose one over the other as I was streaming the Starboy Fest online same time too”.
Well, as stated by Mr. Adeshina, both events were good for the Nigerian music industry. The entertainment industry, which is one of the major boosts we have as a nation since independence, is truly having a quantum leap. The organizers of the Headies Award need to do more so as not to lose its credibility and relevance.
It is quite one of our top indigenous award nights, top artists should also give it their support as it was a platform for them before they became bigger. Kudos to the winners of each category at the 2019 Headies Award and the organizers for giving back to those who have been doing their best to get us entertained. A big shout out also goes to Starboy Wizkid for taking our music to the world.
