Despite the massive influx of artiste with stereotype sounds, some artiste broke away from the norm to do the unimaginable in their field which is music. Nigerian Music, is going global as budding fresh talent are
sprouting up, changing the face of music, facing out mediocrity in the industry. The HEADIES Award is regarded as the most valuable prize for hard work in music. It is regarded as the Nigeria Grammys. Various artiste were nominated for different categories. It was formerly known as Hip Hop World Award but rebranded as the Headies Award. The Award, since inception, has been supported by foremost Telecommunication Giant MTN, and the categories people watch out for which is regarded as the most controversial is the categories of the Next Rated Artiste which the winner will cruise home with a brand new car from Hyundai. This year’s award is highly competitive as the talents that were nominated in all the categories are all rave of the moment; because they performed excellently well in 2015. OLADAPO SOFOWORA evaluates the chances of the artistes nominated and possible chances of winning the prestigious award.
LIL KESH
Ololade Keshinro known as Lil Kesh, broke into the scene when he was unveiled by Rap star Olamide Baddo as his newly signed artiste. The artiste dropped his first singe ‘Lyrically’ and leveraged on the success of the song and dropped the dance style called ‘Shoki’ the song threw him into Limelight as it was massively accepted. He hooked up Davido and Olamide for a remix which also got massive radio and video rotation. Lil kesh dropped yet another smashing hit ‘Gbese re’ and ‘Efejoku’ featuring label mate.
Viktor.
Lilkesh, is one contender, but might be hindered by the regular banning of his songs both on radio and terrestrial Tv by NBC, on the allegation of vulgar languages employed in his lyrics. 2015, is a blessing to career of Kesh as he did perfectly well. He was nominated last year for the ‘Rookie of the Year’ but lost it to fellow artiste Reekado Banks. Lil Kesh is also a strong contender, but it is left for his massive fans to do justices by voting him.
REEKADO BANKS
Ayoleyi Hanniel Solomon, known as Reekado Banks, is one of the new face of Mavin Records. A vocalist and talented singer, whose drive for success is on the high side. The Headies Rookie of the Year 2014 is still waxing strong in his grind and this earned him a spot in the Next Rated category. Reekado Banks did well in the Hook of street anthem ‘Dorobuchi’ and his own single ‘Chop Am’, ‘Katapot’ amidst all. His songs sank well into the heart of listeners, as he did not disappoint his fans that he is indeed a fine artiste in his own generation. Reekado Banks is facing stiff competition regardless of the fact that he is a contender but the only issue that might hinder him is his recent endorsement with Telecommunication Giant-Globacom.
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With recourse to Burna Boy and Sean Tizzle saga last year for same category. Burna allegedly claimed that because he is a Glo Ambassador he was denied the chance of winning the prestigious award. Apparently, same feat might be repeating itself this year but all hands are on deck on who might come out victorious in the category.
KOREDE BELLO
The Godwin crooner, is unarguably earning himself a space in the heart of music lovers with his style of music. His smashing hit song ‘Godwin’ did the Magic as the song went viral and landed Korede a Globacom Deal. All thanks to Don Jazzy for his magic touch. Korede is also a contender but a factor that might affect his chances of scooping the award is the fact that he is a Glo ambassador. His nomination is enough reason to show that he is hardworking.
KISS DANIEL
Anidugbe Oluwatobiloba Daniel, known, as Kiss Daniel, broke into the scene late last year with his smashing hit song ‘Woju’ produced by Dj Cublon. The Mid tempo song, caught the fancy of music lovers. The song laced with
Yoruba and pidgin English was the talk of the town, He also shot a creative video for the song, Kiss enjoyed performance on many show round the country. He teamed up with Davido and Tiwa Savage to do a remix of ‘Woju’ which also increased his fan base. Riding on the success of the hit single, he dropped another song titled ‘Laye’, the song was super excellent and display of creativity. Some fans took to twitter to say he sounded like ‘woju’ but the fans accepted the song with massive heart as it was played on every radio and the video shot in Kenya was also aired on Tv.
Kiss Daniel, was featured by Dj Shabsy in the song titled ‘Raba’ but the young man showed that ‘WOju and Laye’ was not a fluke. Kiss has not signed with any communication company and his chances of scooping home the award is wide. Kiss had a great year in 2015 and his nomination is well deserved.
Kiss Daniel is a strong contender and might win the award.
CYNTHIA MORGAN
The Dancehall queen, Cynthia Ikponmwenosa Morgan, known as Cynthia Morgan, is the only female artiste that was nominated.
The artiste who shot into limelight by featuring of Jhybo’s ‘Ejolefero’, she has been waxing strong, she released lots of single and features. Her songs like ‘German Juice’, ‘Don’t break my heart’, ‘ Come and do, am taken, baby mama among all has indeed carved a niche for herself as the face of female reggae dance hall artiste in Nigeria.
Cynthia is a force to watch out for as she is also a strong contender and might be walking home with the award.
The Edo state born artiste had an issue of sampling, according to reports, a federal high court ruling in Lagos on 29 December 2014, gave an injunction restraining Cynthia Morgan from publishing a song titled “Popori”, which was allegedly a song originally made by Queen Ure.
Queen Ure claimed that Cynthia Morgan had stolen the concept of her “Porpori” song and reworked it to “Popori”.
