2023 Headies: Organisers fail to announce winners of 13 categories

Organisers of the Headies Awards failed to announce winners of 13 categories at the 16th edition of the award show at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, USA, on Sunday.

Attendees and viewers across the globe were shocked when the co-host, actress Osas Ighodaro announced midway into the show that the ceremony had come to an end, with about 13 categories yet to be presented.

DAILY POST observed that no female award category was presented before the event was rudely shut down at about 2:30 am Nigerian time.

The categories that weren’t announced include 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 are 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 closing of the ceremony midway has elicited mixed reactions on social media.

Some commentators claimed that the abrupt closure of the event could be due to limited time at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.While the organisers didn’t give any reason for the abrupt closure of the event, they later presented the unannounced awards via social media.

Ayra Starr was named Best Female Artiste of the Year, Waje won Best Vocal Performance (Female), while Victony & Tempoe won the Best Recording of The Year gong for ‘Soweto.’

Cameroon’s Libianca won the Best Central African Artiste of the Year, Morocco’s El Grande Toto was named the Best North African Artiste of the Year, and Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz won the Best East African Artiste of the Year award.

Burna Boy’s ‘For My Hand’ featuring Ed Sheeran was named the Best R&B Single, Chike’s ‘The Brother’s Keeper’ won Best R&B Album, while Victony’s ‘Soweto’ won the Viewers’ Choice award.

With the announcement of the winners of the remaining categories, Burna Boy now ties Rema for the most wins (three awards each).

Burna Boy got 10 nominations (the most) and won three of the categories he was nominated.