Headies Rejects Claims Of Gospel Music Exclusion

The Headies has rejected claims that it sidelines gospel and inspirational music, citing past winners and the introduction of the Best Inspirational Single category as evidence of its recognition of the genre.

The development comes as the 18th Headies prepares to bring together established African music figures and a new generation of contenders under the theme “Africa to the World”. The ceremony is scheduled for October 25 in Toronto, Canada.

Congolese music legend Awilo Longomba is billed to receive the Headies Hall of Fame Award, while Nigerian entertainment executive Cecil Hammond will receive a Special Recognition Award.

On the competitive side, rising Nigerian artiste Fola leads the nominations with 10 nods, including Album of the Year, Best Male Artiste, Digital Artiste of the Year, Best R&B Album, Best Recording of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Next Rated.

Fola is followed by Omah Lay with eight nominations, while Mavo and Wizkid have seven each. Davido and Asake received six nominations apiece, while Ayra Starr and Tiwa Savage lead the female artistes with five nominations each.

Against this backdrop, the organisers said gospel artistes have historically competed and won in major general categories rather than being restricted to dedicated gospel awards.

They cited Lara George, Kefee, Nikki Laoye and Timi Dakolo, who recorded nominations or wins outside dedicated gospel categories.

Lara George won Best Vocal Performance (Female) in 2010 for “Keeper of My Dreams”, while Kefee won Best Collaboration for “Kokoroko” featuring Timaya.

Timi Dakolo’s “Heaven Please” won Recording of the Year in 2010, while “Wish Me Well” earned him three awards in 2015. Nikki Laoye also won Best Vocal Performance (Female) in 2013 for “Only You”.

“Gospel and inspirational artists have not merely been nominated. They have won major general categories against the strongest mainstream competition of their time That is the record,” the organisers said.

The Headies said the Best Inspirational Single category, introduced in 2022, was created to expand recognition rather than restrict gospel artistes to a separate category.

“Best Inspirational Single, introduced at the 15th Headies in 2022, was not created to put gospel music in a box. It was created to give more gospel and inspirational artists a guaranteed place on the Headies stage.”

The organisers noted that artistes remain eligible for general categories, citing Anendlessocean’s 2025 nomination for Best Vocal Performance (Male).

The Headies also defended its nomination process, saying each category begins with an average of 50 eligible entries before being reduced to about six nominees.

“Missing the final six is not evidence that a record was ignored It is evidence that it competed,” it said.

On complaints that the inspirational category is sometimes not presented during the live broadcast, the Headies said the awards have grown from about 22 categories to 35, necessitating a rotation system for categories presented on the main stage.

“Inspirational music is part of that rotation. That is not disregard It is how a growing awards platform manages a growing number of categories.”

The organisers maintained that while the awards can improve, criticism should be based on its history.