The 17th edition of the award show, Headies Award, faced backlash from critics due to the shambolic exposè that took place on Sunday, April 27. It was criticized due to the poor camera quality, the underwhelming award categories, and the lack of star power at the event.
The 2025 Headies award (otherwise known as Hip TV award) will be quickly forgotten rather than being remembered for endearing reasons or at least, controversial moments like when it was at its peak in the 2010s.
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What happened at the 2025 Headies Award ceremony?
To begin with, a massive applause for the Headies Award planning committee and how they’ve consistently produced the award ceremony against all odds. However, it is time to slam them for failing to evolve and develop over the years that have passed by.
The producers of the award ceremony still haven’t found a way to upgrade their camera quality. On Sunday, the production was poor and it was underwhelming; viewers at home took to their various social media platforms to complain about the show. Due to the poor camera quality, several viewers tuned away from the station and instead decided to do something worthwhile with their time and attention.
No star power at the event. Several notable celebrities, such as Wizkid and Burna Boy, failed to attend the 2025 Headies award ceremony once again, as they do not regard the event as being organized in their own home country. No disrespect to other socialites such as Very Dark Man (VDM), Annie Macaulay, and several others, however, you can’t compare a marquee such as Wizkid to theirs. It is what it is, sadly.
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The absence of star power simply means that the event would not attract other notable celebrities, nor would it make viewers glued to their television screens. As a matter of fact, we reside in a generation where people rarely spend time in front of the television, instead, they are scrolling through social media to get the latest information.
You need star power, influential figures in their field, and not Big Brother Naija influencers and TikTok personnel at a music award ceremony.
Where Is Shallipopi’s Award?
“The next one if una see me make I bend,” Nigerian recording artiste, Shallipopi wrote on his Twitter account after he was disrespected at the Headies award on Sunday. Shallipopi won the category for Best Rap of Song, Unfortunately, Headies award organizers had no plaque to give Mr Pluto. Define immense disrespect to me, and I’ll show you Headies’ treatment of Shallipopi.
“I nor go even lie for una sef, I nor want that award give the real rappers wey dey the category, me Shallipopi I nor be rapper,” Shallipopi added in another tweet. You can’t blame Shallipopi, he has had a couple of impressive singles since he gained mainstream exposure about two years ago, hence, he ought to be treated with dignity and respect.
This shambolic attitude is what often infuriates musicians and other notable celebrities, who then prefer to distance themselves from the award ceremony in the future. You can’t blame anyone, this one is on Headies. They should do better.
Conclusion: A Word Of Advice To Headies Organizers
Headies award organizers should study this constructive criticism and do better shortly. They shouldn’t stop the event as it helps in promoting the Nigerian entertainment industry and cultural values, however, the production has been poor and underwhelming in recent years. They need to develop and evolve from 2010 it’s 2025, and the world will continue to transition.
Additionally, they should work with an engineering and communications organization that can help make their production better, this would help attract new viewers and potential partners. The ball is in their court, they can do better.