Ayo Animashaun, the founder of The Headies awards, has raised concerns about the growing obsession Nigerians have with the Grammy Awards, urging more support for local music platforms.
In an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, Animashaun pointed out that the Grammy is now more popular in the streets of Lagos than in the U.S. He questioned, “We have our own, for God’s sake, why are we so fixated on theirs?”
Animashaun continued, “We think they care about us, but they don’t. We’re making waves, so they throw us a nomination, and the entire country erupts in celebration.” Reflecting on his personal experiences, Animashaun mentioned, “I didn’t attend the Grammys this year. I was there last year and have been to several other prestigious events—American Music Awards, BET, World Music Awards, Oscars, MTV. But when I talk to people in those cities, some don’t even know these events are happening. Yet in Nigeria, we know more about their awards than they do.”
He lamented, “We continue to hype what’s not ours while they support their own. So who will back our own? And I’m not just talking about the Headies.”
Animashaun stressed the importance of valuing local achievements, saying that while international recognition matters, the Nigerian industry must focus on supporting homegrown talent and initiatives like the Headies.
The Headies founder also noted that while the awards are prestigious—highlighting the 21-karat gold-plated copper plaque—it still faces challenges due to limited corporate and government backing.
However, he expressed hope for more attention to the Nigerian creative sector, especially with the newly appointed Minister of Creative Economy.
Since its inception in 2006 as the Hip Hop World Awards, The Headies has become one of Nigeria’s most celebrated music events. The 2024 edition is scheduled for April, with the 2025 edition planned for December.
Recently, Nigerian artist Tems won the Best African Music Performance category at the 2025 Grammy Awards, a category introduced in 2024.
