Nigerian singer Lojay has sparked conversation in the music industry by declaring that The Headies awards hold more significance for Nigerian artists than international recognitions like the Grammy Awards.
Speaking during a recent interview with Hip TV, the Grammy-nominated artist emphasized why Nigerian musicians should embrace and prioritize local award platforms rather than fixating on international validation.
"As much as the Grammys and other international awards are sweet, as a Nigerian you can never become priority in a space that is not your own," Lojay stated. He referenced ongoing challenges Nigerian artists face in gaining recognition in mainstream categories at international award shows.
The singer, who won the Best Male Vocal Performance award at the 17th Headies, highlighted Tems as an example, noting that despite creating "one of the most beautiful R&B albums last year," she was only recognized in the Best African Music Performance category at the Grammys rather than being considered for broader categories like R&B, Pop, or Best Female Artist.
Building Nigerian Cultural Institutions
Lojay envisions a future where The Headies gains such international prestige that global artists would travel to Nigeria to receive awards. "What would help me as a Nigerian artist is for The Headies to be so well recognized that American artists win Headies awards and come to Nigeria to receive the award," he explained.
"I would love a world when Travis Scott comes to Nigeria for the Headies. I don't gain anything from the Grammys being bigger than The Headies. We here don't gain anything from the Grammys being bigger. Everybody gains something from The Headies being bigger," the artist added.
His comments reflect a growing sentiment among African artists about the need to strengthen local cultural institutions rather than seeking validation solely from Western platforms.
"I'm a big believer in Nigeria. I believe in Nigeria being better, I believe in Nigeria being stronger. I believe in our people and the things that we are doing going global. So, we should not look down on our own things," Lojay concluded.
The artist's perspective adds to ongoing discussions about cultural ownership and recognition in the global music industry, particularly as African music continues to gain worldwide popularity.
