2022 Headies Awards: BNXN (Buju), Wizkid, Tems among top winners, others

Nigeria music star, Daniel Benson, popularly known as BNXN (aka) Buju, has taken home a 2022 Bentley Bentayga, after he clinched the ‘Next Rated Artiste’ award at the 15th 2022 Headies.

He also shared in the award for best rap single as the featured artist on Ladipoe’s “Feeling,” in the event which marked the first time the show has been held outside of Nigeria.

The Afrobeat sensational singer, won the highly decorated award ahead of Ayra Starr, Zinoleesky, Lojay, and Ruger who were also nominated for the same category.

While receiving his award at the event which was held in Atlanta, United States, BNXN displayed an act of appreciation to everyone who supported his music.

It could be recalled that Buju was sanctioned by the Lagos state police command about two weeks ago when he was involved in an altercation with men of the Nigeria Police Force in a video that went viral.

The rave of the moment in Nigerian music industry was seen shirtless during the misunderstanding with the police officers who apparently blocked his car.

Also, Wizkid and Tems were the top winners at the 15th annual Headies Awards which were held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta on Sunday.

Wizkid and Tems collaborated on the international smash “Essence,” which became a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2021 (with an assist by Justin Bieber). “Essence” won song of the year and best R&B single.

In addition to their two joint awards, Wizkid won album of the year for Made in Lagos (Deluxe Edition), while Tems won best female artiste and best R&B album for If Orange Was a Place.

Patoranking, Burna boy, FireBoyDML, Ayra Starr, and Bnxn each won two awards.

Patoranking won the best recording of the year for “Celebrate Me” and best reggae & dancehall album for Three.

Burna Boy took African artiste of the year and best male artiste.

FireBoyDML won the best Afrobeats single for “Peru” and the best music video for “Champion” (featuring D Smoke).

Ayra Starr won digital artiste of the year and Headies’ viewers’ choice for “Bloody Samaritan.”

Chris Brown won international artiste of the year, beating Bieber, Beyoncé, Drake, Ed Sheeran, and Nas. The category is designed for non-African artists or groups with outstanding achievements and impact on Afrobeats.

This year’s awards ceremony introduced three new categories: international artiste of the year, best inspirational single, and digital artiste of the year.

Artistes at the show included Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, FireBoyDML, Adekunle Gold, Davido, Flavour, Kcee, Buju, Lojay, Goya Menor, Cohbams, 2Baba, Joeboy, Rugier, Olamide, and Asake.

The Headies is the top Nigerian/Pan African awards show, celebrating the best in Afrobeats, African music, and culture. The awards, originally called the Hip Hop World Awards, were established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World Magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.