Following the unveiling of the nominations list for the 17th Headies Awards, Nigerian rapper Oladips has taken a bold step by releasing a diss track aimed at the organizers of the prestigious music event.
The rapper, who felt slighted by the omission of Indigenous Yoruba rappers from the rap categories, used the track to voice his frustrations, calling out what he described as continued disrespect towards Indigenous hip-hop artists in Nigeria.
In the song, which was shared on February 17, Oladips paid homage to pioneer Yoruba rappers who paved the way for him and others in the industry. He acknowledged their influence in his decision to embrace rapping in his native language, a style that has gained widespread popularity over the years.
While expressing his admiration for these rap legends, he also criticized the Headies for failing to acknowledge their contributions, describing the snub as a deliberate act that undermines the efforts of Indigenous rappers.
Oladips’ grievances stemmed from the fact that his 2023 album, Superhero Adugbo, was completely ignored in the rap categories. The project, which was well received by fans of Indigenous rap, failed to secure a single nomination, further fueling his belief that the Headies does not value the work of Yoruba rappers.
In his diss track, he pointed out that this was not the first time Indigenous rappers had been sidelined, accusing the award body of consistently favoring English-speaking rappers over those who rap in their native tongues.
Interestingly, in the same diss song, Oladips suggested that it might be time to apologize to Wizkid. The Grammy-winning artist had previously stated that hip-hop was dead, a comment that sparked outrage within the Nigerian rap community.
At the time, Oladips was among those who criticized Wizkid’s remark. However, in light of the continuous sidelining of Indigenous rappers, he now appears to be reconsidering his stance, implying that the rap scene might indeed be struggling due to a lack of proper industry recognition.
Oladips is not the only artist who has publicly criticized the Headies following the announcement of this year’s nominations. Ruger, another popular Nigerian singer, recently took to social media to sarcastically label the Headies as the “best award show in the world.”
His comment was widely interpreted as a jab at the organization’s perceived inconsistencies and favoritism. Similarly, alternative singer Dotti The Deity expressed disappointment over the omission of the alternative categories, questioning the credibility of the selection process.
Another Next Rated nominee, Ayo Maff, also weighed in on the controversy by listing several artists he believed should have made it into the category. His reaction echoed the sentiments of many fans who felt that this year’s nominations were riddled with errors and significant oversights.
These criticisms have reignited debates about the relevance of the Headies and whether the awards still hold the same prestige they once did.
Since its inception in 2006, the Headies has remained Nigeria’s premier music awards ceremony, recognizing outstanding talents in the industry. However, in recent years, the organization has suffered from various challenges, including long gaps between editions, declining production quality, and controversies surrounding nominations.
These issues have led to a noticeable reduction in the event’s appeal, with many artists and fans questioning its credibility.
The 17th Headies Awards is scheduled to take place on April 5, marking the first of two editions planned for 2025, with the second set for December. Despite the ongoing backlash, the event remains one of the biggest nights in Nigerian music.
