Headies Denies Sidelining Gospel Artistes from Mainstream Categories
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The organizers of the Headies have dismissed claims that gospel artistes are sidelined from major award categories, emphasizing that faith-based musicians have consistently competed for and won mainstream accolades throughout the event's history.
The statement follows an open letter from Nigerian gospel artist Gaise Baba, who criticized the award body for isolating gospel and inspirational music into distinct categories rather than integrating them into top-tier nominations. Gaise Baba also pointed out that despite his nomination in the newly introduced 2024 Inspirational Music category, the winner was neither publicly announced nor awarded on stage.
Responding via its official Instagram page, the Headies maintained that its historical records refute allegations of intentional exclusion regarding gospel musicians in primary categories.
“Every award season, the same claim resurfaces: ‘The Headies doesn’t recognise gospel artists. Inspirational music is shut out of the real categories.’ It sounds provocative. It travels fast. But the record says otherwise – and the record is verifiable,” the organisers said.
To substantiate its position, the Headies cited past achievements by faith-based figures—including Lara George, Kefee, Timi Dakolo, and Nikki Laoye—as proof that gospel artistes successfully compete in general categories.
The organizers noted that Lara George secured a Best Female Vocal Performance nomination in 2008 for "Ijoba Orun" before winning it in 2010 with "Keeper of My Dreams," while Kefee won Best Collaboration in 2010 for "Kokoroko" featuring Timaya, a track that also earned major nominations like Song of the Year.
Additionally, Timi Dakolo earned Recording of the Year in 2010 for "Heaven Please" and three awards in 2015 for "Wish Me Well," and Nikki Laoye won Best Vocal Performance (Female) in 2013 for "Only You."
According to the organizers, these precedents demonstrate that inspirational musicians are not restricted to specialized categories.
“Gospel and inspirational artists have not merely been nominated. They have won major general categories against the strongest mainstream competition of their time,” the organisers said.
Regarding the Inspirational Music category, the Headies explained that the category was introduced at its 15th edition in 2022 to enhance visibility for gospel and inspirational artistes, rather than to segregate them from mainstream competition.
“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 statement read.
The organizers noted that Kcee and Okwesili Eze Group won the category in 2022 with "Cultural Praise," followed by Neon Adejo in 2023 with "Eze Ebube," and Mercy Chinwo in 2025 with "You Do This One," alongside nominations for artistes such as Dunsin Oyekan, Limoblaze, Tope Alabi, and Anendlessocean.
Addressing claims of intentional exclusion, the Headies explained that an artiste's absence from the final list simply reflects a competitive review process, where the academy trims roughly 50 eligible submissions per category down to around six nominees.
“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 statement said.
The 2026 Headies awards, themed ‘Africa to the World,’ is slated to take place on October 25 in Toronto, Canada.
Regarding categories omitted from the live broadcast, the organizers stated that expanding from 22 to 35 categories made presenting every award on stage unfeasible, necessitating a rotation system where certain honors—including Inspirational Music—are occasionally awarded off-air.
