The organisers of The Headies have dismissed claims that gospel and inspirational artistes are being sidelined from major award categories, insisting that faith-based musicians remain eligible to compete for mainstream honours.
The organisers, in a statement shared on their official Instagram page, said the history of the awards contradicted suggestions that gospel artistes were excluded from general categories.
They cited previous winners, including Lara George, Kefee, Nikki Laoye and Timi Dakolo, as evidence that gospel artistes have been recognised and rewarded alongside mainstream acts.
The clarification followed an open letter by Afrogospel artiste Gaise Baba, who questioned the level of recognition given to gospel and inspirational musicians in some of The Headies’ major categories.
Gaise Baba argued that artistes should be judged based on the quality, sound and impact of their music rather than being restricted because of the religious messages contained in their songs.
He also questioned whether commercially successful gospel records such as “Favour” and his collaboration with Lawrence Oyor, “No Turning Back II”, were receiving adequate consideration alongside mainstream Nigerian songs.
The singer further recalled his experience as a Headies nominee, noting that the Inspirational Music category was among those not announced during the main ceremony at one edition.
He argued that nominees invest significant time and resources in publicity, preparations and attendance and should therefore receive proper recognition when a category has been created by the organisers.
Responding to the concerns, The Headies maintained that gospel artistes had historically competed successfully in general categories and had defeated some of the biggest secular acts of their respective eras.
The organisers cited Lara George, whose song “Ijoba Orun” received major recognition, as well as Kefee, whose hit song “Kokoroko”, featuring Timaya, competed in several general categories.
Timi Dakolo was also highlighted for winning three awards on one night, including Recording of the Year, Best Vocal Performance (Male) and Best R&B Single.
Nikki Laoye was similarly recognised for winning Best Vocal Performance (Female) with her song “Only You”.
“Gospel and inspirational artistes have not merely been nominated. They have won our major general categories,” the organisers said.
The Headies also defended the Best Inspirational Single category, which was introduced in 2022.
According to the organisers, the category was not created to exclude gospel music from general competition but to provide faith-based and inspirational artistes with an additional avenue for recognition.
“That is not exclusion. That is addition,” the statement said.
The organisers noted that artistes including Kcee, Okwesili Eze Group, Neon Adejo and Mercy Chinwo have won the category since its introduction.
While acknowledging that criticism of the awards was welcome, The Headies maintained that claims suggesting gospel and inspirational music had not been recognised did not reflect the history of the awards.
The exchange between Gaise Baba and The Headies has renewed discussions about the representation of Nigeria’s growing gospel and Afrogospel movement at major music award ceremonies, particularly in categories traditionally dominated by mainstream genres.
