US Mission partners growing global popularity of Nigerian music
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
This year’s Annual Headies Music Awards, to be held in Atlanta, is being given moral and diplomatic support by the United States Mission in Nigeria to help forge lasting ties between the two countries.
It is the first time the Headies, now in its 15th annual edition, will be held outside the shores of Africa’s most populous country brimming with music, arts, and other cultural stuff now attracting growing international attention.
The Headies recognises, awards, and promotes outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music firmament.
“This year’s Headies awards will highlight the growing US-Nigeria ties and the vast potential of Nigerian musicians as cultural exporters to the African continent and beyond,” US Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard said.
She spoke at a Headies reception at the US Mission in Lagos which celebrated growing US-Nigeria cultural ties in music and arts.
The US Mission said it hosted the event to show that America is committed to strengthening the burgeoning US-Nigeria cultural ties through music, arts, film, cultural heritage, and professional and educational exchanges.
Growing global popularity of Nigerian music
Leonard applauded the growing ties of the two countries in the creative industry.
She said the choice of Atlanta to host the Headies symbolises the growing relationship between the music industries in the US and Nigeria as well as the growing popularity of Nigerian music in the US.
In her view, cultural exchange advances US-Nigeria strategic partnership by forging lasting ties between American and Nigerian artistes and shining a spotlight on the vibrant creative community in Nigeria and the US.
“The US government has long recognized the role of music in diplomacy, with its emphasis on free expression, improvisation, and democratic and collaborative teamwork.
“Sharing music is one of the best ways to find common ground with people on an exchange program. The appeal of music is truly universal.”
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People-to-people connections between Nigeria, US
Acting US Consul General Brandon Hudspeth added that cultural and artistic exchanges are just one way the US partners with the people and government of Nigeria.
“We continue to explore innovative ways to foster valuable people-to-people connections between our two countries.
“The U.S. Mission is honored to partner with the Headies. This year’s Headies Awards will highlight the Nigerian music industry’s creativity and growing global reach,” Hudspeth enthused.
Ayo Animashaun, Headies Music Awards Executive Producer, disclosed that this is the first year the Headies will be held outside Nigeria. He described Atlanta as home to many prominent hip-hop and R&B artistes and their record labels.
“The Headies recognises outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry. Our goal is to continue to support the development of talent and nurture innovation in the music industry,” he added.
Aim of US Mission
The Public Affairs Sections of the US Mission in Abuja and Lagos support programs that connect American creatives with their Nigerian counterparts.
Through these people-to-people connections, the US Mission hopes to foster a deeper relationship between the people of Nigeria and the US.
