Nigerian music sensation Ayra Starr expressed disappointment at the 16th edition of the Headies Awards for not announcing her award category during the event held on September 3, 2023, in Atlanta, USA. The awards ceremony abruptly concluded, leaving 13 categories, including Best Female Artiste, Best Recording of The Year, and Songwriter of The Year, unannounced on stage.
Ayra Starr, named Best Female Artiste of the Year, voiced her discontent on Twitter. She asserted that she couldn’t be grateful for an award that wasn’t deemed worthy of an on-stage announcement, and she criticized the organizers for what she perceived as a lack of recognition for the hard work of female artists in the industry.
“We work hard, every single one of us! I’ve seen Tiwa record 4 hit songs in the same night, Tems breathes and lives for music; we didn’t deserve such nonchalance! Nigeria, you didn’t raise me to settle for less,” Ayra Starr declared.
The decision not to present the female award on stage was deemed disrespectful to the female end of the music industry by many viewers and attendees.
Ayra Starr‘s reaction highlights the importance of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of female artists equally with their male counterparts, despite the Headies Awards presenting the unannounced awards via social media.