Beninese-born Nigerian singer and songwriter, Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe better known as Ayra Star, recently took to X, formerly known as Twitter to expressed her displeasure over the inability of Nigerian female artistes to get proper recognitions at award presentations.
The singer voiced out her feelings to netizens and music enthusiasts, on the ways award and recognition organisations anonymously honour female artistes in Nigeria.
According to her, female artistes are hardworking adding that they do not deserve silent and shadow recognitions, especially in the music industry.
“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 breathes and lives for music , we didn’t deserve such nonchalance! Nigeria , you didn’t raise me to settle for less,” she said.
Recall that, the Singer ‘Ayra Star’ recently bagged winner of the ‘Best Female Artiste’ category in the just concluded 16th ‘Headies’ Award formerly called (Hip Hop World Awards), held on Sunday 4th September 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia , the United States of America.
She said, the award didn’t witnessed the joyful cheers of the crowd, due to shadow presentation which was done at backstage. We don’t get the appropriate celebration, despite the effort female artistes like myself, Tems and Tiwa Savage among others put in.
Meanwhile, some categories like Best Recording of The Year, Songwriter of The Year, Best RnB Single, Best Vocal Performance (Female), Headies Viewers’ Choice, Best East African Artiste of the Year, and Best North African Artiste of the Year, didn’t get presentation on stage as well by the organisers.
Commenting on the post is a Twitter user with the handle @DJ daley said: “I agree with you. That award should have been announced and presented on stage and not at backstage, after all we are all fighting for equality these days! All artistes should be accorded the same respect regardless of gender. Keep up the great work and wishing you all the best.”
Another user @therealdaddymo1 added: “She didn’t stutter. She said what she said. Female artistes have put in solid work too and have invested their time and energy into their craft. These award organisers should stop the disrespect and celebrate them accordingly”.
@ViewsØ9 also commented, ” Tiwa has said this year after year!! i’m glad Ayra is saying it too. The disrespect is just too much. They announced some people who didn’t bother to show up on stage but not Best Female Artistes..drag them..go Ayra!”.
