On February 21, the long-awaited 14th edition of the Headies awards held in a virtual ceremony which aired from Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The red carpet took off at 5pm while the main event started at 9:50 pm.
Comedian Bovi and actress/TV personality Nancy Isime hosted the socially distanced award with a few comedy bits. Awards were introduced, announced, and accepted. However, there was a notable lackluster technical glitches and incompetence to speak of. The virtual show did not only start late; there was an audible background discussion between the hosts and technical crew backstage.
In the same vein, there were snubs and surprises at the just concluded event; large enough to stir heated debate on social media.
On the surprising side
It was really super great to see YBNL star, Fireboy DML lead the winners of the night. The singer took home five awards including the Best R&B Single, Best R&B Album, Headies revelation, Best Pop Album and Album of The Year (for his sophomore album Apollo).
With this win, Apollo became the fourth YBNL album to win Album of The Year after Olamide; won between 2013 and 2015 for three consecutive albums. Fireboy also became the second YBNL act to win an Album of The Year.
The last time a Nigerian artiste took home five awards at the Headies was Wande Coal in 2010.
The most exciting moment of the award was Omah Lay‘s Next Rated win. The elated Godly crooner stormed the stage with his fellow Next Rated nominees, Oxlade and Bella Shmurda and gave them a big hug.
Sometimes surprises are shocking and delightful, Ojuelegba crooner, Wizkid who has snubbed the award show in the past; traveled to Nigeria from Ghana to attend the awards and stole the show. He beat out Burna Boy and Davido to win the Artiste of the Year award. He also won the Headies’ Viewer’s Choice award.
Snubs
Only a few artistes have had a more impressive musical track record in recent times than self proclaimed African Giant, Burna Boy, so it was a shock to see that he was a non-factor at the 14th Headies award.
READ ALSO: Why Organising 14th Headies Awards Was Difficult- Ayo Animashaun
It’s unfortunate that voters didn’t see that and beyond that, and that the voting body’s interest as a whole seems to be waning, even as Burna Boy was more than qualified to win the Artiste of the Year and Album of the Year award.
It’s important to note that the album Apollo which beat out Burna Boy‘s album, Twice as Tall to win the Album of the Year category didn’t peak during the year in review (albums/songs from July 2019 to September 2020).
Other worthy music stars who were snubbed at the award include Davido, Tiwa Savage and Naira Marley.