13th July, 2023
By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi
The Headies Awards, has stirred criticism from fans after the announcement that gospel artistes would be eligible for the Best Inspirational Single category.
The nominations for this year’s Best Inspirational Single category include popular gospel tracks such as “Stand Strong” by Davido featuring Sunday Service Choir and “Jireh (My Provider)” by Limoblaze, Lecrae & Happi Music.
While some fans have welcomed the recognition of gospel music, others argue that it dilutes the original intention of the category and suggest that gospel artistes should have their own distinct award category.
Expressing their discontent, one fan took to Twitter, stating, “This is ridiculous! The Headies is supposed to be a secular awards ceremony. Mixing gospel artistes in it is just wrong.”
This sentiment echoes the concerns of fans who believe that the inclusion of gospel music diminishes the category’s original meaning.
Conversely, supporters of the decision have defended the move, highlighting the significance and impact of gospel music.
They argue that gospel artistes work just as diligently as their secular counterparts and deserve recognition for their talent and contributions to inspiring audiences.
“I’m glad that the Headies is finally recognizing gospel music,” another fan posted. “Gospel artistes work just as hard as secular artistes, and they deserve to be recognized for their talent.”