The
Headies was boycotted by Nigerian musicians. That fact was evident as
the award show started. A huge number of fans were quick to point out
the long rows of reserved seats for nominees and stars who failed to
turn up.
The show which held on December 23, 2016,
at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, had a very low
turnout of celebrities. Their absence was glaring with numerous nominees
and awardees absent at the award.
The show which was hosted by rapper Falz and Actor Adesua Etomi and
celebrated the best of Nigerian music had many awardees fail to turn
up. Numerous awards were left unclaimed by the winners as some
presenters had to take the awards with them backstage.
Notable
absentees were the entire members of Mavin Records and YBNL Records,
two music companies whose bosses had a bitter spat at the previous
edition.
Simi failed to claim her award for “Best
Vocal Performance”, Kiss Daniel failed to claim an award, Illblisss who
was a big winner in two categories, Patoranking who won the Best
Reggae/Dancehall single was absent, and Olamide won two awards, but was a
no show.
So why did celebrities boycott the Headies?
The first reason is
that celebrities didn’t really boycott the Headies. A lot of them came
too late to be given a seat at the head of the table, or step forward to
accept their awards. Over the past two years, the Headies had started
the show late in a bid to accommodate the lateness of stars. But this
year was different. The organisers decided to kick off the award without
the artistes. And the results was poor for TV.
Also,
the Headies date for this year is in December, a holiday season when
the stars are booked for numerous paid events. With clients to satisfy
across the world, many artistes, being businessmen, would rather make
the right choice of making money, than showing up at the Headies.
The
Headies provides recognition and promotion, but performance fees are
the reason why many stars do this, and they will rather be making money
than making good waves on TV. This tweet below sums it all up. The
Mavins are on their way to Cote D'Ivoire for a concert in Abidjan, while
the entire YBNL crew have a paid appearance date at a club in Osogbo.
Finally, many
celebrities just don’t care. It’s the truth. After 11 years of attending
the Headies, many have become jaded, especially those without
nominations or a chance to win anything at the trophy. Why dress up, and
drive down to the Headies, when I have no important role to play? Why?
Why come out to watch other artistes win prizes that I also qualify for?
Also,
others just want to avoid the limelight of live TV. Unlike what they
are familiar with in their careers, the Headies is streamed live to
millions of homes across the continent and beyond. As a star, you always
have the cameras on you. This means you have to be of your best
behavior and stay guarded all through. One wrong facial expression, a
misplaced move, and ill-timed gesticulation, and you will forever become
the butt of social media jokes, and endless memes. Ask Dija how she
felt after last year’s enthusiastic jumping earn her the bashing of her
life.
Also, ask Eva Alordiah’s fiancé – Caesar – who got snubbed by Wizkid, “ How Market”?
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