SONGSTRESS OMAWUNMI CRUSADES AGAINST CHILD ABUSE

In an effort to better the lot of Nigerian youths,Omawunmi,the Wonder Woman has started a crusade against child abuse. She is crusading with her song titled,If you ask me(Na who I go ask).

The song,now rocking the airwaves,is a bit of her sophomore effort.Cobhams Asuquo,the visually-impaired genius,put his expertise in producing the song.If you ask me tells the story of an abused child.

The song is a plus to Omawunmi’s work as an Ambassador for Project Alert,which advocates on issues of sexual abuse and reproductive health.
Before releasing the song,the singer,alongside some of her colleagues,had been involved in the campaign against internet fraud tagged MISSPIN,which has the backing of Microsoft.

After her success at the Idols West Africa competition where she emerged first-runner up,Omawunmi debuted with Wonder Woman which entertainment buffs reckon is still relevant,ranking high on radio music charts. Her efforts and talent in music has earned her multi awards including the Hip Hop World Awards and the Nigerian Entertainment Awards.

Entertainers Besiege Clothing Stores For(Headies) Hip Hop World Awards

Nigerian entertainers have began preparations towards attending and performing at the much talked about Hip Hop World Awards tagged The Headies. Those who should know, disclosed that entertainers in and outside Lagos are so ecstatic about the award ceremony so much that some have besieged fashion and clothing stores to equip their wardrobes in readiness for this year’s edition of the awards ceremony.

Those names weren’t disclosed, it was further gathered that first time performers and nominees are the guiltiest of the ecstatic preparation towards the awards ceremony. Already entertainers like M.I, Dr. Sid, Banky W, Flavor Nabaniya, Ice Prince have been billed to perform at the awards while Omawumi, Muna, Waje, Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Brymo and others would be making their first entry to the HHWA stage this year.

Leading hip hop acts -Wizkid, Iceprince, Olamide, Goldie and Tiwa Savage- are hopeful of wining one of the Hip Hop World Awards plaques known as ‘Headies.’ These hip hop acts, already nominated for different categories aside the ‘Next Rated’ category of the awards ceremony, have been busy canvassing the votes of their fans and watchers of the industry. Kennis Music Duchess, Goldie, has been nominated in the category of Best Pop Female and Best Video, but the ‘Next Rated’ category, which comes with a prize, is said to be the most-talked about in the industry and industry watchers are divided over who should win it.

The Nominees Speak On The Headies 2011

A total of 58 nominees have been featured in the 2011 edition of The Headies; while some like artistes Tiwa Savage, Samklef, Kas and oLamide are up for nomination for the first time, others like Ice Prince, 2face Idibia, Dr. SID, have received over 5 nominations.

The awards which will hold this weekend, Saturday, October 22, 2011 has raised a lot of anticipation, not only from fans and music pundits but also from the artistes who are up for nomination. We all have our fingers crossed.

This is what they had to say…

People keep saying the kind of music I do, it may be hard to ‘blow’ in this space but as we can see I am getting quite a bit of recognition and that’s really awesome- Bez

On the song that got me that nomination, I think personally the wordplay and metaphors was super phenomenal and very Nigerian. So I think I have a shot. Yes, I have a shot- Vector

I’m already a winner, just to be nominated. It’s nice to be nominated, it will even be nicer if I win it, but I am just grateful - Femi Adeyinka

It’s an honour, it’s always humbling, to be set aside by your peers to be recognised for your hard work – Essence

Whoever wins, I think we all have worked hard and we all deserve much more to come, so I’m just happy for myself and everyone - Tiwa Savage

I feel great because I think I worked really hard this time and it’s one thing when you are working hard and nobody says well done – Waje

I classify the Headies as the best awards in Nigeria, I will call it our own kind of Grammy and I think this year is a difficult year though – Timi Dakolo

I think I am honoured, very happy because that actually shows that are some people sitting down somewhere watching what we are doing -  Jahbless

I mean if Hip Hop World Awards could give everybody awards, then they would. So the fact that we are all nominated shows that we are winners already – Goldie

It’s head-swelling, the way I feel right now in my head. But I gotta appreciate it; the Headies has come a long way. You know, I hope I win one. I would love to win all but you know no be only me be Superman for the area! But it’s a good thing, everybody come out and have fun – 2face

I think nominating me alone, means people appreciate my work and that is one thing I have always wanted in life. I really want to get across to the youth so for me being appreciated with legends, with my mentors, these I are the guys I want to be like and now I am being nominated alongside them. If I win it, glory be to God; if I don’t, I will work harder to win the next one – Patrick Ellis

I am not sure what the Headies are based on; if it is for creativity, being unique or being classic, then maybe we should be getting that award - Gini

It would be a miracle, I would definitely plank on stage if I win ‘Recording of the year’ but I am hoping – Eva Ezi

So many artistes have come and have gone but Ruggedman is still here and he is not just here, he is still getting nominated for awards – Ruggedman

I can say this without a shadow of doubt that the Headies is the award of awards, after the awards then the rest follow – Terry Tha Rapman

I felt good that I was nominated for Best Conscious Music, it shows that they also award people that make out time to write about issues like this – Omawumi

For me, the Headies is one platform that everybody wants to be associated with. It feels good, I’m happy to be here – Jaywon

I feel very happy and very privileged to be one of the nominees for the Headies and it makes me feel like I am trying to impart to the industry and not just be there – JSleek

I’m gonna say this; Hip Hop World Awards is noni, because Hip Hop World Awards in on point – Samklef

So it’s a great feeling that you just wrote something in your room and suddenly people are hearing it and they like it and you are being nominated – Ego

Any artiste that has been nominated before or has won a Headie, knows that they are part of the elite – Reminisce

I think the Headies are a bit too heavy but it’s good because if you come to my house without being invited, I smash you over the head with a Headie – Modenine

I look forward to being a part of every year and I am kinda proud that I am still part of it this year – 2shotz

I actually did not think I was going to get any nomination this year but I am very excited. I am looking forward to having a pretty Headie in my house; I don’t have one yet and I hope I get one this year – Mo’Cheddah

I am actually proud to be a nominee this year, last year I was a spectator, new on the scene, this year I’m up for the Hip Hop Revelation Award – Lynxx

It is a great feeling because I have actually released 4 singles so at least someone out there still recognizes me to give me this nomination – D’Prince

I believe in the Hip Hop Awards. I feel very good and happy because I wouldn’t lie to you, I have not won any award before but I am always a winner anyway – Durella

It is a good thing to not only be appreciated by your fans but by the industry as well so Hip Hop World Awards is a big deal – WizKid

It is every artiste’s dream to be appreciated for the work you put out there – Dr. Sid

Everybody knows that the story of MI begins with Best Rap Single ‘Crowd Mentality’ in 2008 so I am forever grateful to the organization – M.I

The Headies 2011 to hold in Lagos, 22nd October 2011

According to organizers, the urban music awards which are aimed at ‘rewarding musical excellence and outstanding creativity’ will hold at the New Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos on Saturday, October 22, 2011.

As announced earlier, veteran producer and rapper eLDee da Don, and talented actress Rita Dominic will be hosting the awards show which will showcase spectacular performances from the country’s finest artistes.
‘We took all this time to come up with concepts that will surpass the previous editions; we are glad to raise the standard again, far above what we have set over the years. This year, a lot of obvious changes will be seen, I can assure you of this’ Ayo Animashaun who founded the awards in 2006
says

This year, Fifty Eight (58) artistes will battle to win a desirable ‘Heady’ (made up of 21 carat gold) in one of twenty categories including ‘Next rated category’, ‘Album of the year’, ‘Artiste of the year’, ‘Song of the year’, ‘Recording of the year’ ,’Producer of the year’, ‘Best music video’, ‘Best RNB single’, Best Pop single’ and Best RNB/Pop album’

Other categories include ‘Best Rap Single’, ‘Best Rap album’, ‘Lyricist on the roll’, ‘Best Collabo’, Best Vocal Performance (Male), ‘Best Vocal performance (Female), ‘African Artiste of the year’, ‘Best street hop’, ‘Revelation of the year’, and ‘Best Conscious music’
Performers for this year are to be announced shortly.