The 9th edition of urban music and hip-hop awards, The Headies, took place at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday, December 14, 2014. One of the biggest, most consistent and most credible entertainment awards for Nigerian artistes, it was well attended and celebrated. YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine’s GBENGA SHABA was at the musical event that ended in the wee hours of Monday, December 15, 2014 and brings you some of the happenstances…
The African time syndrome
As Nigerians, we have grown to love and imbibe the concept of Nigerian Time. Including the organisers of The Headies. The event which was supposed to start by 6 pm eventually took off at 11pm. Guests were left standing outside the hall for hours, despite the fact that the awards ceremony was moved from October 25 to December 14, to give the organisers enough time and opportunity to prepare for a mind – blowing show.
Headies’ screaming club
While guests waited and as the celebrities strolled onto the red carpet, the organizers, in their wisdom, chose to make the stars feel extra special. With some paid screaming enthusiasts, all the artistes were welcomed with screams from the screaming club. Report has it that each member of the club was paid a token to go crazy for every superstar as soon as they arrived.
Dr. Sid’s wife, Simi is months gone
Dr. Sid and Simi (nee Osomo) got married in August and have been inseparable since then. The Surulere crooner and son of late veteran actor, Justus Esiri, graced the event with the beautiful and now pregnant Simi, who looked radiant in a full-length blue Badgley Mischka dress.
O.C Ukeje steps out with new wife
Dr. Sid and Simi were not the only love birds in the house. Newly married actor, O. C Okeje also turned up with his wife, Ibukun. While the woman trailed his every step, O.C tactfully avoided an interview with media personnel, tightly clutching the hands of his spouse. It was so apparent that they are not through with their honeymoon as they couldn’t even keep apart for a minute.
Princess let loose
The chubby and hilarious comedienne, Princess, hasn’t allowed her failed marriage to slow her down. Known to be a tomboy, she graced the awards properly dressed like a lady, in a gown and high heels. Mid way into the event, Princess couldn’t stand the pain that comes with being dressed like lady any longer and she dumped her shoes and hopped around bare-footed, and using every opportunity to tell the world that she is still her old jolly self. Talk about old habits…
Eva Alordiah sheds weight again?
Tiwa Savage has since been upstaged as Nigeria’s slimmest female artiste by Niyola. Currently, however, there is a new queen in that regard. She is sensational rapper, entertainer, make-up artist, fashion designer and entrepreneur, Eva Alordiah. She was also at the event and appeared to have lost so much weight. Although she still retains her glow and unwavering beauty, fans could barely recognize her when she showed up in her new trimmed size.
Cynthia Morgan’s boobs display
At the onset of the show, Lil Kesh took the stage and performed his hit song, Shoki. Harrysong took over with a live performance. However, in a fascinating twist of event, Cynthia Morgan, in her overflowing bosom and half exposed derriere, stole the show and got some bored guests alive again. With her boobs spilling and her fans screaming in utmost delight, Cynthia looked ready for a battle as she performed harder and gyrated on stage. Although she was hardly audible, fans were not discouraged as they cheered her on with almost half her boobs out.
The awkward hosts
Hilarious Basketmouth and popular Toke Makinwa were sent to South Africa by The Headies team, in order for them to develop a connection as co-hosts; Toke almost made the event bland. With a partially funny (thanks to Basketmouth) introduction, the unmatched duo officially launched the awards show. But lacked connection and seemed unprepared for their duties as hosts.
Was Toke wearing a diaper?
Popular AOP, Toke Makinwa, left no stone unturned while shopping for Headies 2014. She made five changes of different outfits, but her second outfit, a silver jumpsuit, looked really awkward on the presenter. While some guests tried to analyse what made a particular region of her body look swollen, others simply pointed and laughed. But it was either a desperate attempt by Toke to look extra good through artificial means or the beautiful TV presenter was simply wearing an adult diaper!
Kcee’s pull over and the comedy dance
One of the most energetic performances of the night was from the Limpopo king, Kcee. He left fans in awe and suspense as a uniformed matching band first graced the stage to the delight of his fans that hummed in excitement. The handsome crooner finally appeared on stage with Afeez Oyetoro, aka Saka and comic actor, Kingsley Ogbonna, aka Dauda to perform his hit song, Pull over. Kcee won the award for Hip Hop World Revelation with the album, Take Over.
Ayiri Emani again!
Oritse Femi clinched the award for Best Street Hop Artiste and gave a mini performance of his hit song, Double Wahala. Loyal fans sprinted out of their seats dancing and rejoicing with the star. After his performance, he gave a nostalgic grass to grace speech and also showed immense gratitude to philanthropic Delta billionaire, Ayiri Emani. According to Oritse Femi, Ayiri Emani bought him a brand new SUV after he crashed the Evoque that was given to him by his new record label, Avatar.
Sir Victor Uwaifo still holds the strings
Sir Victor Uwaifo received the Headies 2014 Hall of Fame Award, for having an accomplished musical career. The veteran artiste disclosed that he has been playing guitar for 60 years and has had his band for 50 years! He also showed his ageless guitar skills as he performed Guitar Boy and Joromi to the delight of his fans that cut across generations.
Tribute to fallen musical heroes and heroines
Some talented artistes who lost their lives in the course of doing what they loved were honoured. Artistes like Kefee, Dagrin, MC Loph, Goldie, Fatai Rolling Dollar and Father U Turn were paid an emotional tribute.
Other side of Runtown
At the awards, fans were also showed another side of the youngster, Runtown. The talented artiste, during a documentary that was done on him, disclosed that he is also a carpenter. He indulges in this handicraft whenever he is not in the studio.
Patoranking, Olamide, Davido, Mavin are the biggest winners
Patoranking was the biggest winner of the night. He not only won three awards, he also went home with a brand new Hyundai car. He won the Best Collaboration Award For Emergency by Wizzy Pro, also featuring Skales. The award for Best Reggae Dancehall single again went to him for Girlie O, featuring Tiwa Savage. He equally won the Next Rated Award for the Year. The Reggae artiste gave an emotional speech about how he was once a bricklayer, sold ‘rat killer’ for a living and lived in a tiny room in Ebute Metta, Lagos before fortune smiled on him. Mavin’s crew was also one of the biggest winners. Reekado Banks received the award for Best Rookie of the Year, Don Jazzy received the Producer of the Year award and Dorobucci by Mavin crew, won the Best Pop Single of the Year. Man of the moment, Olamide, was also on fire as he went home with two awards. His album, Baddest Guy Ever Liveth won the award for the Best Rap Album and The Album of the Year. Davido’s hit song, Aye won the Song of the Year award and the Skelewu crooner equally won the award for the Artist of the Year.
Yemi Alade, Nosa and Burna Boy were the biggest losers
Burna Boy, who had four nominations, lost out in all. His album, L.I.F.E, was nominated for Best RnB/Pop Album, Album of the Year and Hip Hop Revelation Award; Don Gordon was also nominated for Best RnB Single, but he lost out in all the categories. Yemi Alade also had three nominations, and also lost out in all. Her hit single, Jonny lost to Davido’s Aye for the Song of the Year Award. She also lost to Mavin’s Dorobucci for the Best Pop Single, and to Patoranking, in the Next Rated Artiste of the Year category. Nosa Omoregie was also one of the worst losers. He had three nominations as well, but failed to win any. His song, Why Love Me was nominated for Best Alternative Song and Best Male Vocal, but he missed both. Always on my Mind was also nominated under the Best Recoding of the Year category, but lost to Cohbams Asuquo’s Ordinary People.