The annual Headies Awards ceremony, formerly known as the Hip Hop World Awards announced that this year`s edition is slated to hold in the US to a lot of mixed reactions.
However, The Headies is also notorious for one more thing, snubbing some artists who are not perceived to be humble or pro-HipTV.
Here`s a list of Nigerian superstars who have been famously snubbed by the Headies Awards in the past;
1. Burna Boy – Next Rated 2013
Out of everyone who`s had an axe to grind with the Headies over an award, Burna Boy`s loss had to be one of the most painful losses that night. He lost to Sean Tizzle who clinched the Next Rated Awards that night based on the strength of his debut monster hit single ‘Sho Lee’ and his debut album which followed.
He immediately took to social media to bash the organizers which earned him a ban from the awards since then.
Burna Boy has since proven the Headies wrong by going ahead to win more prestigious awards than the now infamous Headies Awards.
2. Lil Kesh – Rookie Of The Year 2013
The first time Lil Kesh was nominated for an award, he lost to Mavin records signee Reekado Banks. It was famous because Lil Kesh broke into the industry as a famous poster boy for YBNL however as painful as it was, it was taken with dignity.
3. Lil Kesh – Next Rated 2014
One year after losing to Reekado Banks as a rookie, Lil Kesh loses to him again in the Next Rated category, leading to an uproar from his YBNL camp.
The altercation led to a social media row, ending with Olamide threatening to beat Don Jazzy up if he ever ventured to the mainland.
4. Nonso Amadi – Given in Error 2018
Nonso Amadi and the rest of the Alté sub genre had a great year in 2018, until the Headies nomination list came out and to critical backlash because he was new on the scene.
Headies later withdrew the two nominations, claiming that they were given in error.
5. Mayorkun – Artist Of The Year 2020
In 2020, Mayorkun was definitely on a roll with hits back to back but alas his Artist of the year award was stolen away by Wizkid who was transported by the organizers to the event in a private jet.
6. Naira Marley – 4 Nominations
Another huge snub in recent times was Naira Marley who snagged 4 nominations at the Headies in 2020 and lost all, maybe due to the huge controversy that surrounded his career at the time.
