‘Godwin’ was probably the biggest song of 2015, transcending both the secular and gospel charts and finding resonance all across Africa. How could such a song not get the artiste a winner in that category? On the other hand, ‘Woju’ by Kiss Daniel was another monster hit in 2015 which certainly would have won him that prize without raising eyebrows.
Thus, when Reekado won, I was one of the surprised folks watching on television. Obviously this didn’t go down well with Olamide, on whose label Kesh is signed on to and he went on a profane and perhaps alcohol-induced rant onstage a few minutes later, calling out the organisers and storming off the stage thereafter.
Both artistes were wrong on many fronts. For Olamide, his open inebriation on stage calls for much questioning of his public conduct when he’s not in performance mode. As he boasts in his songs, he might have packed halls and swayed trends in the past year but trying a Kanye West onstage at The Headies was ill-advised. One should ask this question ( which I will also throw at Don Jazzy later as well) that if L’il Kesh had back to back hits as Olamide claimed, why didn’t YBNL deem it fit to buy him a car ( if he hasn’t any) all these months?
Don Jazzy screwed up though by calling out Olamide in his speech especially as Olamide never mentioned his name. But to a discerning mind, it seems those two had festering issues before last night and that incident was the last straw.
Mutual discontent and petty misgivings are common in the entertainment industry. I am never fooled by put-on smiles and show of camaderie most times by artistes as they are human like everyone else. What sets off animousities are usually a struggle for a space on top; a definition of ambitious egos or just plain loathing for petty reasons.
To think that Don Jazzy and Olamide did a collabo a couple of years back and an anaemic one too, in my opinion. A song which didn’t make sense and was soon forgotten as soon as it came out.
Unlike past boring editions, the 2015 /2016 edition of the Headies ended on a dramatic note. Thanks to lead actors, Olamide and Donjazzy. The brouhaha started when Mavin Records artiste, Reekado Banks won the next rated artiste award. Nominees ( Reekado Banks, Kiss Daniel, Cynthia Morgan, Korede Bell, Lil’ Kesh)
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That grew thorns on Olamide’s skin who felt his protégé Lilkesh should have clinched the prize. Many of the YBNL fans also registered their displeasure on social media, with many suggesting that Don Jazzy ‘bought’ the award for Reekado.
Things however went irretrievably downhill when Olamide was called up to the stage and he reacted to Lilkesh’s loss.
“This award belongs to Lil Kesh. Lil Kesh is our own Next Rated artist. F**k that shit! The streets ti take over. Every f**king single was a hit back to back. From lyrically to Shoki to Efejoku. Ko ni dafun Iya anybody.”
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And just as the dust was settling down. Donjazzy came on stage and added fuel to the fire.
“Egbon Olamide, If you want the car come and collect it.”
Olamide deemed his seemingly harmless remark a huge insult. And to everyone who followed up on the story, the maverick music producer had prodded the hornet’s nest. Cos an extremely irate Olamide took to his Twitter page to hurl thinly-veiled insults at Donjazzy. And unsurprisingly the latter kept his cool and didn’t retort.
My take on the issue.
1) Olamide’s pain was very understandable. Yes his crew was nothing short of hardworking last year. But he should learn to keep his emotions in check.
2) There was a voting system: If you don’t tell your fans to vote for you, they WON’T. Popularity won’t conjure votes, persuading your fans will. The YBNL crew were too relaxed. Reekado had more votes than Lilkesh because Don Jazzy canvassed for them. Can the organisers do us a favour by revealing the number of votes both parties garnered.
3) Donjazzy’s remark was unpleasant. Candidly, it is difficult not to see that as a shade. What fuelled Olamide’s anger was Donjazzy’s suggestion that the car was more important to Lilkesh than the plaque. That sounded more like a scorn than a joke. Besides, dude was angry and apparently had not calmed down at the time Donjazzy walked up to the stage. The least he could have done was to let sleeping dogs lie.
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4) Olamide’s tweets were uncalled for and reeked of immaturity. He went too far with the insults. Yes, Don Jazzy was wrong to have dragged your name in the whole mess. But all those insults. All for an award? Donjazzy gave you one Congo of “taunt”. You replied with two trailer loads. Kilode? Whatever happened to the spirit of sportsmanship. Sincerely, everyone felt Lilkesh deserved it. Life happens. Learn to lose gallantly.
5) I strongly hate voting form of awards. Most times the award goes to the undeserving. It is supposed to be rewarded by credible umpires and not by the number of votes a nominee can garner. Not all of us agree with Lilkesh’s lyrics but let’s be honest, he had a more fantastic year than Reekado Banks. If Donjazzy spent money and time soliciting for votes for Reekado (which I think yielded great result), pls what did you do for your boy? Well maybe he did sha but Donjazzy’s method was more pronounced.
6) At the end, they will sheathe their swords. It is pointless breaking bottles, picking enemies because of these rich honchos. These artistes like politicians will makeup over bottles of hennessey and hit the studio about the whole experience.
7) Hiptv should organise a concert for losers and give them prizes. Abeg that one na joke o.
