US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said her country’s involvement in the Headies is to strengthen the flourishing US-Nigeria cultural ties through music, arts, films, cultural heritage, professional and educational exchanges
By Emeka Okorie
This year’s Headies took place in Atlanta, USA, to the annoyance of some Nigerians, who wondered how a Nigerian award could hold on foreign ground.
A social media influencer, @DanielRegha tweeted: “All artistes, celebs & persons that attended the 2022 Headies award are such a big disgrace; N¤ integrity. An African award being hosted in USA. The same people who criticized Sanwo-Olu during the EndSARS protests were also clapping for him, u can imagine, two-faced hypocrites.”
The Headies which debuted in 2006 by Hip Pop World Magazine, was hosted in the USA for the first time this year to promote cross-cultural exchange, according to the US Mission in Nigeria which bankrolled the event.
The award, designed to recognise outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry, features performances by established and promising artistes. Its first and second edition was hosted at Muson Center in Onikan, Lagos State.
READ ALSO
Masterkraft fumes over repeated snub by Headies organisers
For the 2022 edition, US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said her country’s involvement in the Headies is to strengthen the flourishing US-Nigeria cultural ties through music, arts, films, cultural heritage, professional and educational exchanges
“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,”
Ayo Animashaun, Headies Music Awards Executive Producer, disclosed that this is the first year the Headies 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.