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)

//
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.”

//
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.

//
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.