Headies 2023: Why I’m not grateful for winning Best Female Artist award – Ayra Starr

Nigerian singer, Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, popularly known as Ayra Starr has expressed disapproval of the unfair treatment meted out to female musicians by the Headies Award organisers.

She emerged winner of the Best Female Artiste award, beating colleagues, Tiwa Savage, Simi and Tems at the 16th edition of Headies, which was held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta, United States of America.

However, the organisers failed to present the awards in 13 categories on stage including the one Ayra Starr won after event host, Osas Ighodaro abruptly announced the end of the event.

These categories included Best Female Artiste, Best Recording of The Year, Songwriter of The Year, Best RnB Single, Best Vocal Performance (Female), Headies Viewers’ Choice, and Best East African Artiste of the Year.

Others include, Best North African Artiste of The Year, Best Southern African Artiste of The Year, Best Central African Artiste of The Year, International Artiste Of The Year, Best Alternative Album, and Best RnB Album.

The ’Sabi’ crooner took to her Twitter account on Monday, and lambasted the organisers for their “nonchalance” towards the female hit makers.

Ayra Starr wrote; “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”.

Post below….

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 BREATHS AND LIVES FOR MUSIC , WE DIDN’T DESERVE…

— CELESTIAL BEING (@AYRASTARR) SEPTEMBER 4, 2023