- The 16th Headies Award went down on Sunday, September 3, 2023, in Atlanta, United States.
- Nigerian music stars Asake, Rema, and Burna Boy were among the biggest winners at the award night.
- One of the highlights of the event was the moment Osas Ighodaro midway into the show, announced that the event had come to an end, with about 13 categories left to be presented.
The organizers of the Headies Awards faced severe criticism from fans after they failed to announce the winners of 13 categories during the 16th edition of the award show at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, USA, on Sunday.
Attendees and viewers across the globe were shocked when the co-host, actress Osas Ighodaro announced midway into the show that the ceremony had come to an end, with about 13 categories yet to be presented.
WITHIN NIGERIA keenly observed that not a single award category presented to female entertainers was showcased before the event was unexpectedly and somewhat abruptly halted around 2:30 am Nigerian time.
The categories that weren’t announced include Best Female Artiste, Best Recording of The Year, Songwriter of The Year, Best RnB Single, Best Vocal Performance (Female), Headies Viewers’ Choice, and Best East African Artiste of the Year.
Others are Best North African Artiste of The Year, Best Southern African Artiste of The Year, Best Central African Artiste of The Year, International Artiste Of The Year, Best Alternative Album, and Best RnB Album.
The premature conclusion of the ceremony has ignited fury on social media.
Several online users have alleged that the abrupt ending of the event might be attributed to time constraints at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
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While the organisers didn’t give any reason for the abrupt closure of the event, they later presented the unannounced awards via social media.
Ayra Starr was named Best Female Artiste of the Year, Waje won Best Vocal Performance (Female), while Victony & Tempoe won the Best Recording of The Year gong for ‘Soweto.
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Cameroon’s Libianca won the Best Central African Artiste of the Year, Morocco’s El Grande Toto was named the Best North African Artiste of the Year, and Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz won the Best East African Artiste of the Year award.
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Burna Boy’s ‘For My Hand’ featuring Ed Sheeran was named the Best R&B Single, Chike’s ‘The Brother’s Keeper’ won Best R&B Album, while Victony’s ‘Soweto’ won the Viewers’ Choice award.
With the announcement of the winners of the remaining categories, Burna Boy now ties Rema for the most wins (three awards each).
Burna Boy got ten nominations (the most) and won three of the categories he was nominated in.
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