Gaise Baba accuses Headies awards of sidelining gospel artistes in major categories

Gospel artiste Gaise Baba has voiced strong criticism against The Headies awards, accusing the organizers of sidelining faith-based music from mainstream categories. Baba, a prominent figure in Afrogospel, believes that gospel artistes deserve recognition based on the quality and impact of their music, rather than being restricted to niche categories.

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A rap record is a rap record. It does not stop being rap because of what the artiste chose to rap about. Whether the record is about money, fame, sex, debauchery, or faith, the craft, pen game, cadence, delivery, and the flow are what makes it a rap record, not the subject matter.

In an open letter addressed to The Headies organizers, Baba argued that a rap song remains rap regardless of its subject matter, whether it's about money, fame, or faith. He stated that confining faith-based music solely to "gospel" or "inspirational" categories effectively removes it from broader industry conversations where it rightfully belongs based on artistic merit. He highlighted that the craft, lyrical content, delivery, and flow should be the primary criteria for judging music.

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A rap song with gospel content, considered only within “gospel” or “inspirational” categories and never as “rap” is being quietly removed from a conversation it has every right to be part of.

Baba's critique stems partly from his experience at the 18th Headies, where the "Inspirational Music" category, despite being introduced in 2022, was not presented on stage during the ceremony. He described this omission, along with other uncalled categories, as a disregard for the nominated creatives. The 18th Headies are scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada, on October 25, 2026, with Afrobeats stars dominating many major categories.

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The Inspirational category wasn’t the only one left uncalled, the same disregard applies to every other