After all those years touring the United States for an American audience to see up close, The Headies is returning home to Nigeria. 

Returning home to Nigeria would be in time for the 17th edition of the award show, which has successfully curated Afrobeats for a global audience to examine. Now, that Nigerian musicians, or indeed African music have gained ground, it was time to touch base with where it all started.

The Headies, which is an annual awards event usually feature performances by established and promising artistes in Nigeria. The last two editions of the event were held in Los Angeles in the United States.

Since its inception in 2006, the port city, Lagos, and Abuja have been the common venues where guests would be gathered until the recent switch to North American listeners in 2022 and 2023. All have been an avenue and a platform for Afrobeats to be showcased to the world.

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The Headies through an 11 February Instagram post explainer put out the ringer that it was coming back.

This year—2024—we are bringing the world back home: To the place that birthed the sound that has led everybody to the dancefloor, that has launched viral videos, that has put our continent right at the centre of global pop culture.

Ladies and gentlemen, The Headies is coming back home. More details soon.

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Perhaps, The Headies heading back is happening at just the right time to make Nigerian musicians feel appreciated from within.

Recent Grammys 2024 losses for the likes of Burna Boy and Davido show that it can be tough to get the recognition of a global audience in an event hosted away from home.

Even if it is inevitable that Nigerian Afrobeats musicians would have to contest against musicians across the globe, there is still one sure gig in Nigeria that strictly arranges the ranking among a wider West African pool of artistes, which witnesses competition from Ghana, Cameroon and Gabon.

That aligns with what founder and media entrepreneur Ayo Animashaun envisioned when The Headies started in 2006. That early exposure he gave Afrobeats musicians through his Hip TV cable channel has no doubt contributed in propelling the growth of Afrobeats.

Precious Olowookore

I’m a content writer who possesses a natural flair for storytelling and a talent for creating engaging narratives. Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, cooking and attending live music events