How Payper Corleone Became The Biggest Winner At The Just Concluded 2019 Headies

By Garbi Clinton Egba October 22, 2019

The 13th edition of one of Africa's career-defining award shows has come and gone. Winners have been announced and congratulations have been sent from fans and artistes to them.

The event, which is always highly publicized had a shortage of industry big guns as most artistes had other also-important events to grace. For instance, Wizkid had his StayBoy Fest at the O2 Arena, London. StarBoy Fest would be alleged to be responsible for the dearth of stars at the 2019 Headies as Influential acts like Burnaboy, Naira Marley, Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks, Runtown and more would partake in Starboy Fest. Davido, too, would be absent to witness the birth of his son, Ifeanyi.

Nevertheless, other superstar acts like Payper Corleone, Rema, Wurld, Tacha of Big Brother, Seun Kuti, DJ Cuppy, Teni, Mayorkun, BlaqBonez, Reminisce, Falz and more would make the night a memorable one.

As awards would be presented to various acts, Falz would clinch three (3) awards:

Best Rap Song Of The Year.

Best Rap Album of the year.

Album Of Year.

Sensational singer, Teni, would make an impressive statement by winning four (4) awards:

Best Vocal Performance (Female).

Headies' Viewer's Choice.

Best Pop Single.

Best Recording Of The Year.

ALSO READ: Rapper, M.I Abaga Endorses Payper, Asks Others To Do Same

And Burna boy, although not present at the event as earlier stated, would take home the coveted Artiste Of The Year award. Added to it were The Song Of Year for "Ye" and The Collaboration Of The Year for "Killin Dem" (an infectious tune between him and Naira Marley).

Other worthy winners are: Yemi Alade (Best Performer), Rema (Next Rated), Killertunes (Producer Of The Year), Mayorkun (Hip Hop World Revelation Of The Year and Best R&B/Pop Album), AQ (Lyricist On The Roll) and more.

Payper Corleone and the gang on the red carpet (Headies 2019)

Rapper, Payper Corleone, who is having his best year yet, was nominated in the Best Rap Single Of The Year category for his song Sacrifice (featuring Alpha Ojini), however, Falz, another artiste in that category, would be announced winner.

As should be, the partying has begun for those who were victorious. For those who didn't get a Headie, an opportunity for re-strategizing and critical appraisals presents itself.

However, it should be worthy of mention, that as these artistes begin their victory party, for emerging as Headies recipients, and for putting themselves on the map, there's another victory party going on elsewhere. But it's not Payper Corleone celebrating himself.

It's the people celebrating Payper Corleone.

You see, the story of now one of Nigeria's biggest hip hop acts (Payper) resonates with us all. Every Bayelsan artiste.

From those who hit the studio frequently in the hope of seeing themselves on TV one day to those who, as they return from events, are harassed by men in uniform and often are to pay a bribe to be freed to those in the Niger Delta University (N.D.U.) who witnessed Payper's journey, we all say thank you.

Thank you for doing the seemingly impossible.

Thank you for inspiring us.

Thank you showing us it can be done.

Thank you for going from entertaining Bayelsans to entertaining Nigerians and Africans.

Thank you for going from getting BMAA's recognition to getting recognized by the Headies.

Thank you for going from having your name alongside your Bayelsan colleagues to having your name alongside the Davidos, the Wizkids, the Burna boys, the M.I's, the Vectors and the YCees of the industry.

Thank you for going from just posting videos to Instagram to having your videos on HipTV, Sound City and MTV base.

Thank you for showing us it can be done.

You know, guys, Payper Corleone may not have gotten the best rap single of the year award, but he left the Headies the biggest winner.

Thank you, Payper.

the Sleek Buzz.