Ayra Starr, the Nigerian singer, has called out the organisers of The Headies for not announcing the ‘best female artiste’ category on stage.
The 16th edition of the award ceremony took place on Sunday at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta.
The event had 28 award categories, but only 13 were announced on stage.
The remaining 15 categories, including the best female artiste category, were announced offstage.
Ayra Starr won the ‘best female artiste’ category ahead of Tems, Simi, and Tiwa Savage.
But in a tweet on Monday, the singer expressed disappointment with The Headies for the lack of recognition on stage after she won the award.
I will never be grateful for winning a category that wasn’t even deemed fit to be announced on stage ! Best female artist na beans ? We work hard, every single one of us ! I’ve seen Tiwa record 4 hit songs in the same night , Tems breaths and lives for music , we didn’t deserve…
Advertisement— Celestial being (@ayrastarr) September 4, 2023
She also highlighted the hard work of her colleagues who were nominated in the same category.
She added that they do not deserve the “nonchalance and would not settle for less”.
“I will never be grateful for winning a category that wasn’t even deemed fit to be announced on stage!” Ayra Starr wrote.
“Best female artist na beans? We work hard, every single one of us! I have seen Tiwa record 4 hit songs in the same night, Tems breathes and lives for music.
“We didn’t deserve such nonchalance! Nigeria, you didn’t raise me to settle for less.”
TheCable Lifestyle contacted a representative of The Headies who acknowledged that 15 categories were announced off-stage.
The insider also said the award organisers could not announce all categories because they had limited time.
See the list of categories that were announced offstage:
Best R&B Album
- Chike – ‘The Brother’s Keeper’
Best R&B Single
- Burna Boy – ‘For My Hand’
Best Southern African Artiste of the Year
- Focalistic – South Africa
Headies’ Viewers’ Choice
- Victony – ‘Soweto’
International Artiste of the Year
- Selena Gomez off stage
Best Recording of the Year
- Victony & Tempoe — ‘Soweto’
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
- Waje – ‘In Between’
Best North African Artiste of the Year
- El Grande Toto – Morocco
Best East African Artiste of the Year
- Diamond Platnumz
Best Central African Artiste of the Year
- Libianca – Cameroon
Best Alternative Album
- Boj — ‘Gbagada Express’
Best Female Artiste
- Ayra Starr
Songwriter of the Year
- Simi Kosoko, Godsfavour Chidozie, Kosoko Adekunle, Marcel Akunwata – ‘Loyal’ (Simi)
International Artiste Recognition
- Sean ‘Love’ Combs
Hall of Fame
- Youssou N’Dour
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