The Headies Founder Ayo
Animashaun, Afrobeats Superstar & Warner Recording
Artist Pheelz, DJ Spinall, Dignitaries and Industry VIPs Gather For
An Epic Kick-Off Event High In The Hollywood Hills To Celebrate 15
Years Of Honoring Musical Excellence, And The Upcoming Headie
Awards Global Broadcast From Atlanta,
GA On September 4, 2022.
VAN
NUYS, Calif., July 2,
2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- During a private media and
VIP brunch in Hollywood,
Ayo Animashaun, founder and
executive producer of The Headie Awards – the global music awards
show celebrating excellence in African music – officially kicked
off the #RoadMapToTheHeadies. This year, The Headies will be
broadcast from the United States
for the first time in its 15-year history.
Since 2006, The Headies have recognized outstanding achievements
in Nigerian music. As the music industry across the continent
continued to grow, giving rise to mega stars like Wizkid
(Nigeria), TooFan (Togo), Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo), Sarkodie
(Ghana) and past award recipient
Yemi Alade (Nigeria), The Headies also became a bold
celebration of the various genres and sounds evolving from more
traditional African music. Over the course of the awards' wildly
successful run, The Headies have become the most coveted prize for
African artists and music industry stakeholders.
Other past winners at The Headies have included pioneering
Afrobeats artists like D'Banj, 2Baba (formerly known as Tuface),
and M.I.; as well as contemporary artists of the genre, including
Davido, Tems and Tiwa Savage. The
Headies trophy itself encapsulates the bold exuberance of the
African youths who have pushed the music industry forward over the
course of the past few years. Conceptualized by Animashaun and
designed by artist Wale Adewoye, the plaque is made of precious
elements, including copper, steel, marble and gold. It depicts the
image and shout of a young, vibrant individual whose talent can
challenge that of renowned local and international artists, but who
finds himself nearly discouraged by his circumstances. Today, it
stands as a testament to the many African artists who have
circumvented those challenges to become global superstars in their
own right, while standing as a beacon of possibility for
up-and-coming talent across the continent.
With African artists and Afrobeats music creating a massive
audience and finding tremendous success on U.S. airwaves over the
past few years, hosting The Headies in Atlanta this year cannot be better timed. The
list of nominees, which was announced on May
22, features several acts who have helped introduce
Afrobeats and Afropop music to American audiences. Wizkid's
inescapable Tems-assisted hit "Essence" is nominated in four
categories, with both artists also nominated individually in a
number of categories. Ahead of the show, fans in Africa are invited to vote for their favorite
artists across 22 Headie Awards categories, including Next Rated,
for which the prize includes a Bentley Bentayga! Voting
instructions can be found here.
Patoranking, who co-starred alongside Beyonce on her 2020 Lion
King: The Gift single "Already" has also earned several
nominations, including "Best Reggae & Dancehall Album."
American artists Brandy, D Smoke and Lucky Daye have each earned
nominations for their guest appearances alongside Nigerian stars
Tiwa Savage, Fireboy Dml and
Adekunle Gold, respectively.
Newly-minted reality TV stars Diamond Platinumz and 2Baba
(Netflix's Young, Famous & African) are also among the 2022
nominees. During the show, The Headies will also acknowledge
globally renowned legend Angelique Kidjoe as the 2022 Hall of Fame
Honoree.
The Headies have also expanded to include an "International
Artiste of the Year" category - one of three new awards being added
to the program. The inaugural international nominees are Beyonce,
Chris Brown, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Justin
Bieber, and Nas. Additionally, this year will see prizes
handed out for "Best Inspirational Single" and "Digital Artiste of
the Year," which will recognize the artist with the most
outstanding achievement and impact digitally in the year under
review. Nominees include Burna Boy, Davido, and CKay, whose single
"Love Nwantiti" was a social media favorite in the year under
review. The new additions bring the total number of awards to be
presented to 37; 15 of which are selected by jury, along with the
Hall of Fame Honoree. The full list of 2020 Headie Awards nominees
can be found here.
While The Headies Awards will be produced in the U.S. this year,
this bold showcase of talent will air in 89 countries around the
world, including 44 countries across the continent of Africa on satellite and terrestrial, as well
as across several digital platforms around the world.
The 2022 Headies will be held at the Cobb Energy Center in
Atlanta on September 4, 2022. For more information, visit
theheadies.com.
Additional video and photo assets from The Headie Awards Brunch
are available here. For media interviews, contact:
frontpagefirm@icloud.com
Media Contact
Headie Awards Publicity, FrontPage Firm, 1 2022467875,
frontpagefirm@icloud.com
SOURCE FrontPage Firm