Friday, July 10, 2026

I’m not grateful for Headies win; organisers ‘nonchalant’: Ayra Starr

She also noted that her colleagues received an acknowledgement, underscoring the competitiveness of the category in the awards show.

and • September 4, 2023
AYRA STARR
Ayra starr

Nigerian singer Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, popularly known as Ayra Starr, has voiced dissatisfaction with the 16th Headies Awards following the off-stage announcement of the category she won.

Ayra Starr won the ‘Best Female Artiste’ category of the awards held in the U.S. on Sunday.

In a tweet, the “Bloody Samaritan” crooner conveyed her discontent with the Headies, accusing the organisers of “nonchalance” for not presenting her the award during the event.

She also noted that her colleagues received an acknowledgement, underscoring the competitiveness of the category in the awards show.

“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 ?” Ayra Starr fumed on X.

“We work hard, every single one of us! I’ve seen Tiwa record four hit songs in the same night; Tems breaths and lives for music. We didn’t deserve such nonchalance! Nigeria, you didn’t raise me to settle for less.”

This year’s edition of the Headies had sleazing performances from Afrobeats’ finest, and 14 awards were not announced on stage.

Meanwhile, Ayra Starr’s comments echo Wizkid’s criticism of the BET awards, as he declined to receive his award in 2015 and failed to pitch the pre-show interview.

Tems won in the same category as Ayra Star in the 15th Headies but was unavailable at the event.

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