Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sunny Green Itodo
Published on 2024-02-09 10:01:43
Nigerian singer, Inetimi Alfred Timaya Odon, popularly known as Timaya, has recently stirred up controversy by stating that Nigerian awards lack credibility. This comes in the wake of the disappointment felt by many Nigerians after the 66th Grammys, where all the Nigerian nominees were snubbed, and the only non-Nigerian nominee, Tyla, ended up winning the award for Best African Music Performance.
In a recent interview with The Beat 99.9 FM, Lagos, Timaya expressed his opinion on the matter, stating that Nigerian awards are even worse than the Grammys in terms of credibility. When asked about the sentiments of some people suggesting that Afrobeats artists should focus on developing the music industry back home instead of aiming for international recognition, Timaya responded by questioning the credibility of the local Nigerian awards.
He asked, “What is your take on a lot of people saying the Grammy used Afrobeats and we need to come back home and grow?” In response, Timaya stated, “We don’t need to come back home. Even our own, which credible awards? Is it the Hip-hop awards, Hip TV awards [The Headies]? I don’t even know. They are not credible either. They are even worse than the Grammys.”
Timaya’s assertion that Nigerian awards lack credibility has sparked a debate within the music industry and among fans. Many have voiced their agreement with Timaya’s sentiments, stating that there is a need for a credible homegrown award that artists and the industry can gravitate towards. Without a reputable and respected local award, Nigerian artists may continue to seek validation from international platforms like the Grammys, despite the disappointment of this year’s results.
However, there are also those who disagree with Timaya’s views, arguing that the Nigerian music industry has made significant progress in recent years and that there are credible awards within the country. They highlight the achievements and recognition received by Nigerian artists and the growth of local award ceremonies as evidence that the industry is evolving and improving.
Timaya emphasized the importance of having a credible homegrown award, stating, “If we have a homegrown award that is credible, people would gravitate towards it. But for now, whether you like it or not, Grammy is still Grammy. We don’t have to back down [because Nigerian artists lost this year]. We are going again.”
His comments have reignited the conversation about the state of the Nigerian music industry, the credibility of local awards, and the pursuit of international recognition. While the 66th Grammys may have been a letdown for many Nigerian artists and their fans, it has also sparked a renewed determination to continue striving for excellence and recognition at the global level.
The debate around the credibility of Nigerian awards and the need for a respected homegrown award is likely to continue as the industry evolves and grows. Whether Timaya’s comments will prompt positive change within the industry remains to be seen, but they have certainly brought attention to an important issue that warrants further discussion and evaluation.
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