Ayra Starr criticizes Headies for not presenting Best Female Artist Award on stage

Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has not held back in expressing her profound disappointment with the 2023 Headies Awards.

Despite clinching the highly-coveted Best Female Artist award, Ayra Starr felt that the honor was marred by the fact that it was not presented on stage, and she didn’t mince her words.

The 2023 Headies Awards, a prominent event on the Nigerian music calendar, unfolded on September 3, 2023, at the Cobb Energy Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The ceremony was a star-studded affair, attracting an array of industry heavyweights who had gathered to celebrate the outstanding achievements and diversity of Nigerian music.

READ ALSO: Black Sherif wins ‘West African Artiste of The Year’ at Headies Awards 2023

Ayra Starr’s triumph over formidable competitors such as Tems, Tiwa Savage, and Simi in the Best Female Artist category was a momentous occasion in her career. However, the absence of an on-stage acknowledgment left her deeply dissatisfied.

Taking to Twitter, she made her sentiments clear: “I will never be grateful for winning a category that wasn’t even deemed fit to be announced on stage! Best female artist na beans? We work hard, every single one of us! I’ve seen Tiwa record 4 hit songs in the same night, Tems breathes and lives for music, we didn’t deserve such nonchalance! Nigeria, you didn’t raise me to settle for less.”

Ayra Starr’s candid critique strikes at the heart of the matter, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and honoring female artists in the industry. It highlights the necessity of equal representation and fair treatment at major music award ceremonies, ultimately amplifying the voices and contributions of women in the music industry.