Selena Gomez Wins International Artiste of the Year at the 2023 Headies Awards:
American pop singer and actress Selena Gomez was awarded the International Artiste of the Year award at the 16th annual Headies Awards held in Lagos, Nigeria on Sunday night. The Headies, also known as the Headies Award, is the biggest and most prestigious music award ceremony for afrobeats and hip hop music in Nigeria.
Introduction to Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez first shot to fame as a child actress on the Disney Channel show Wizards of Waverly Place. She launched her music career in 2008 with her band Selena Gomez & the Scene, releasing three studio albums that were certified gold or platinum. She embarked on a solo career in 2013 and has since released three solo studio albums along with numerous hit singles.
Some of Gomez’s most popular songs include “Come & Get It,” “Good for You,” “Same Old Love,” “Hands to Myself,” and “It Ain’t Me” with Kygo. She has sold over 45 million singles worldwide. In 2017, Billboard reported that Gomez has accumulated over 4.7 billion streams on Spotify, making her among the top 10 most streamed female artists of the decade on the platform.
Outside of music, Gomez has continued acting and produces the hit Netflix show 13 Reasons Why. She is also known for her philanthropy, including fundraising for UNICEF.
Significance of the Headies Award
The annual Headies Award, commonly referred to as The Headies, began in 2006 and honors both Nigerian and international music artists in afrobeats, hip hop, R&B, pop, and even gospel. It is Nigeria’s most prestigious music award show.
The categories cover recording, performance, originality, production, and more. There are also special awards like Hall of Fame inductees, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Artiste of the Year, Best Collaboration, and the Viewer’s Choice award.
The International Artiste of the Year category was introduced in 2016 to recognize artists outside of Africa that promote Nigerian music globally. Past winners have included Drake, Summer Walker, Beyoncé, and Wizkid.
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Selena’s Connection to Nigeria
Though she was born in Texas, Selena Gomez has embraced global music trends and collaborated with Nigerian artists. She featured on DJ Snake’s 2016 afrobeats-inspired “Taki Taki” with Cardi B and Ozuna. The track peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 2020, Gomez was featured on Rema’s remix of his afrobeats hit single “Calm Down.” She sang lyrics in both English and the Nigerian language Yoruba. Her verse on the remix helped introduce Rema’s music to wider international audiences. The song’s success further demonstrated Gomez’s genuine support of the Nigerian music scene.
When Gomez was announced as the International Artiste of the Year honoree, Nigerian artists and fans celebrated her win across social media. Her collaboration with Rema especially showed her appreciation for the country’s culture. Several Nigerian celebrities posted their praise for Gomez using the hashtag #SelenaForHeadies.
Gomez at the 2023 Headies Awards
Though she was not able to attend the 2023 ceremony in person, Gomez shared an Instagram video filmed ahead of the show to thank organizers for the prestigious honor. She congratulated Rema again on his own wins and thanked Nigerian fans for their support of her music. Gomez hoped she could visit Nigeria someday soon.
During the ceremony, Rema accepted the award on Gomez’s behalf. He reiterated that Gomez deserved the win and that he was grateful for their collaboration. Other artists in attendance also congratulated Gomez on the milestone achievement. Her win recognizes the global influence of Nigerian music.
What This Means for Selena Gomez
The International Artiste of the Year award from the Headies further cements Selena Gomez’s status as a globally relevant pop artist. Though she was unable to attend the Nigerian ceremony, she demonstrated her gratitude and commitment to connecting with international fans.
Gomez is following the model of other Western artists like Drake and Beyoncé who have embraced afrobeats and collaborated with Nigerian artists. This musical and cultural exchange helps introduce different genres to new audiences.
As Gomez continues promoting her latest Spanish-language EP, her Headies win also shows her dedication to celebrating diversity in music and connecting with fans worldwide. She is one of the few American pop stars to be embraced by Nigerian audiences.
Hopefully this marks just the beginning of Selena Gomez’s exploration of international music scenes. More collaborations with Nigerian and African artists could come in the future. For now, her Headies win is a testament to her artistic openness and the universality of music.
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