U.S. ambassador honours Nigeria’s thriving music industry at headies pre-award reception

For the third consecutive yr, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria hosted a pre-award reception in honour of the seventeenth Headies, reputed as Nigeria’s largest and most prestigious music awards present within the nation.

Visitors together with artistic trade leaders and policymakers, nominated artists, alumni of U.S. authorities trade programmes, representatives of U.S. companies in Nigeria, and members of the diplomatic corps attended the reception, highlighting the rising world attain of the Nigerian music trade.

Delivering remarks on the occasion, U.S. Ambassador Richard M. Mills, Jr. celebrated the profound affect of Nigerian music on the worldwide stage and the important function that American streaming platforms, report labels, and U.S. authorities trade programmes have performed in amplifying Nigerian music globally, driving financial progress and fostering mutual prosperity for each nations.

Ambassador Mills defined that taking the Headies to the USA in 2022 and 2023 was a daring step and a recognition of the impression African music has made in the USA and around the globe.

“We’ve seen a exceptional rise within the variety of Nigerian artists acting at sold-out reveals in arenas throughout the USA and incomes recognition at main award reveals just like the Grammys,” Ambassador Mills stated. “We’re proud to help the Headies because it recognises these on the prime of their recreation and offers a platform for rising expertise, enjoying an important function in rising the economic system for each our nations and creating alternatives for tens of millions of individuals, on the microphone and behind the scenes.”

As Nigerian Afrobeats stars proceed to make their mark on the worldwide stage, Govt Producer of the Headies, Ayo Animashaun, famous that there has by no means been a better time to be a Nigerian artist. He underscored the essential function of worldwide collaborations in cementing Afrobeats place within the world music trade.

U.S. artistic corporations corresponding to Paramount, Apple Music, YouTube, and main report labels like Common, Empire, and Atlantic have been on the forefront of partnering with Nigerian producers and artists to share genuine African sounds with audiences around the globe.

READ ALSO: Afrobeats sensation Harcher premieres two new singles in Lagos

The U.S. Mission continues to have interaction with Nigeria’s artistic trade leaders and innovators to debate constructing a sustainable ecosystem, unlocking entry to new markets, and advancing alternatives for two-way commerce and funding within the artistic sectors.

In 2024 the U.S. Division of State launched three new trade programmes for Nigeria’s artistic industries that embrace the American Music Mentorship Programme — which is in partnership with the Recording Academy (Grammys).

This trade programme has created distinctive alternatives for African musicians and trade professionals to have interaction with the U.S. music scene. In its inaugural yr, three Nigerian creatives participated within the programme, with one chosen following his trade to guide a regional workplace in Nigeria for a U.S.-based media group, additional strengthening U.S.-Nigeria music trade ties.

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