The 12th edition of Headies was, by far, better than those held in recent years. In terms of coordination, organisation, timeliness, and stage setting, the Headies, thankfully, recorded growth.
Although the most prestigious music award in Nigeria is not yet where it should be, it appears to be on its way there.
Here are the highlights of the ceremony which saw performances from Simi, Charles Okocha, Falz, Mr Real, Danfo Drivers, Mayorkun, Zule Zoo, Maleek Berry, Johnny Drille, Tiwa Savage featuring Reminisce, DJ Enimoney, and Davido featuring the DMW crew.
High points
The audience and fans watching the Headies on HIP TV must have heaved a collective sigh of relief once the performers started singing live, and not lip syncing as they are wont to do.
Most of the artistes, and even Tiwa Savage, tried their damndest to deliver okay live performances. The great choreography that accompanied each performer’s set made for good TV.
Also of note was the much-improved stage, although it is still nowhere near the type an award of its status should have.
The audience, too, deserves some accolades. Unlike the previous shows, the performing artistes got a better response from the audience.
Lows
The scheduling of the performances could be better.
It reeks of bad scheduling when Mayorkun is expected to hop on stage to perform right after winning an award.
Simi, on the other hand, had just left the stage following her performance when she was called up to receive an award. Of course, she was a no-show.
Another low point of the night was the long, uncomfortable delay that ensued after Tiwa stopped her set abruptly to give a mid-performance speech for the award she won earlier — but was not available to receive.
It took her hypeman’s intervention to make the wait less uncomfortable than it was.
Meanwhile, the no-show of award winners needs to stop or be reduced to the barest minimum.
Not less than 10 artistes were unavailable to personally receive their awards, a situation that has endured for the past few years.
The likes of Small Doctor, Simi, Yemi Alade, Kiddominant, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, 2baba, Nasty C, and Wizkid were a no-show for various reasons when called upon.
Moments & Speeches
The moments that stood out and memorable quotes from speeches made by award winners.
Galala-dancing RMD
To Nigerians, Richard Mofe-Damijo will forever remain cool, perhaps cooler as he ages.
Not one to disappoint when on a stage, the veteran actor danced galala while presenting an award and expressed his willingness to learn shaku-shaku from Osas Ighodalo but the organisers said *No, do it on your own time*.
The Kanye West in Timaya
When Bovi called out Timaya over his outfit, many watching on TV did not know what he was on about until the ‘Ah Blem Blem’ singer hopped on stage like Kanye West. And alas, he was clad in a bathrobe and flip-flops.
Despite not being called for an award-receiving purpose, Timaya seized the microphone, again like Mr West, and thanked his fans for supporting him for 13 years.
The DMW village
Artistes on Davido Music Worldwide (DMW) roster won five awards; Davido took three, Kiddominant won one and Mayorkun snatched the next rated category.
But when he was called upon, several DMW members, affiliates, and supporters trooped to the stage to celebrate the moment with him.
Mayorkun was deprived of a speech as a result of the rowdy spectacle.
Memorable quotes
“My voice is shaking. Let me just go. Thank you” – Simi.
“If you don’t believe in Jesus, believe in him now. Heaven is real” – Reekado Banks.
“Anytime dey no add me for this nomination(best female vocal performance), I go dey think say I get blockos(penis), say I no be woman” — Omawumi.
“The last time I won a Headies award was in 2013” — Praiz says as he dedicated his award to the late Eric Arubayi.
“This is an opportunity that has been predestined by the Almighty God. I want to thank every single artiste that has given me the opportunity to serve. I dedicate this to the dance industry” — Kaffy, while receiving the special recognition award.
“I’ve been looking for this thing(award) for a long time. This is the fourth attempt” — Reminisce, while receiving the best rap album award.
“Thank you so much for my award. I am so sorry I missed it. I have to give a special thank you to my bestie Starboy” — Tiwa Savage’s mid-performance speech.
“I want to say a big thank you to my man for supporting me. Every single day, you support me. You are looking for name? Leave me alone” — Simi.
ICYMI
In case you missed it, SoundCity, a rival of HIP TV, were showing a recap of their awards at the same time the Headies was airing.
Petty much?
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