Wizkid, Davido Battle For The Headies’ Top Gong

Funsho Arogundade

As their perceived rivalry intensifies, top Afro-pop stars, Wizkid and Davido have been placed together to battle for the most coveted Artiste of The Year title at this year’s edition of The Headies.

At the unveiling of the nominees for this year’s award held at the Lagos headquarters of Smooth Promotions, the producers of the award, apart from the two talented singers nominated, five other outstanding artistes were nominated in the same category. They are KCee, Olamide, Phyno, Flavour and Tiwa Savage, the only female contender in that category.

These are the most critically and commercially adjudged artistes in the year under review (July 2013 and June 2014) and one of them will emerge overall most successful artiste for the year.

This year, Oritsefemi emerged the biggest nominee with six nominations in the following categories: Best music video, Best pop single, Best collabo, Best vocal performance Male, Best Street-hop artiste and Song of the year.

Rhyno trails him with five nominations: Best rap album, Best rap single, Best Street-hop artiste, Album of the year and Artiste of the year. His fellow rapper, Olamide also has five: Best rap album, Best rap single, Album of the year and Artiste of the year. The rapper’s Eleda Mi also earns Pheels the Producer of the year’s nomination.

On the list of contenders for the Producer of the year award are Don Jazzy, Pheels, T Spize, Legendary Beat, Shizzy and Del B. The winner of this category must be an individual responsible for producing the most acclaimed song or album in the year under review.

Other multiple nominees this year include 2Face Idibia, Nosa, The Mavin Crew, Timi Dakolo and Seyi Shay among others.

“This year’s nominees have shown hard work and zeal with their music and we wish them goodluck at the awards,” DJ Jimmy Jatt, head of the jury, said during the press briefing.

Legendary guitarist, Sir (Dr.) Victor Uwaifo will get this year’s The Headies’ special recognition for excellence and outstanding impact on the entertainment industry.