Nigerian singer Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe popularly known as Ayra Starr has openly voiced her dissatisfaction with the Headies Awards organizers for their perceived lack of regard for female musicians.
Beating industry heavyweights like Tiwa Savage, Simi and Tems; Ayra Starr emerged winner of the Best Female Artiste category at the 16th edition of Headies, which was held on Sunday.
Sadly, the event organizers left 13 categories, including Ayra Starr’s, without award presentations, following the sudden announcement of the event’s conclusion by host Osas Ighodaro.
These categories included Best Female Artiste, Best Recording of The Year, Songwriter of The Year, Best RnB Single, Best Vocal Performance (Female), Headies Viewers’ Choice, and Best East African Artiste of the Year.
Others include, Best North African Artiste of The Year, Best Southern African Artiste of The Year, Best Central African Artiste of The Year, International Artiste Of The Year, Best Alternative Album, and Best RnB Album.
In her response, Ayra Starr posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday, and conveyed her thoughts; “I will never be grateful for winning a category that wasn’t even deemed fit to be announced on stage!”.
Hailing her fellow nominees for their dedication to the craft, Starr slammed the organisers for their “nonchalance” towards the female hit makers.
“Best female artist na beans? 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,” she wrote
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I will never be grateful for winning a category that wasn’t even deemed fit to be announced on stage ! Best female artist na beans ? We work hard, every single one of us ! I’ve seen Tiwa record 4 hit songs in the same night , Tems breaths and lives for music , we didn’t deserve…
— Celestial being (@ayrastarr) September 4, 2023
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