Afrobeats star Lojay has urged fellow musicians to maintain professionalism and avoid publicly criticizing award shows when they don’t win. Speaking in a recent interview on Trending on Hip TV, Lojay emphasized the importance of emotional control and maturity in the music industry.
“Everybody can get emotional about stuff for particular reasons, and that’s okay. I just feel like at the end of the day, you’re meant to be a professional artist, so don’t let your emotions take control,” the singer stated.
Lojay’s comments come in the wake of the 17th Headies Awards, which drew criticism from several artists. One of the more vocal critics was Shallipopi, who took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to express frustration, stating he would never attend the Headies again. The backlash has reignited conversations around transparency, favoritism, and fairness in the industry’s major award platforms.
But Lojay, who won Best Male Vocal Performance at the 2025 Headies, believes the right approach is to accept the outcome with grace.
“I don’t think it makes sense to start trashing an award show just because you did not win,” he added, highlighting that the integrity of the artist matters as much as their talent.
The Grammy-nominated singer also discussed his breakout hit ‘Monalisa’, which he co-created with prolific producer Sarz. The track became a smash hit in 2020 and received an international remix featuring Chris Brown, which propelled Lojay to global recognition.
Speaking about his creative process, Lojay mentioned that he puts the listener at the end of his production priorities. “I don’t create for the listener first. I make music that speaks to me and allows me to express my experiences and emotions. If people relate to it, that’s great—but it starts with me,” he explained.
Now a respected voice in the Afrobeats scene, Lojay’s take on professionalism serves as a reminder of the need for emotional intelligence in an industry where competition is fierce and recognition isn’t always guaranteed. His words also reflect a broader desire for stability and credibility within African music award systems.
Despite the recent criticisms, the Headies still hold significant prestige in Nigeria’s music scene. And while artists continue to strive for validation, Lojay believes that respect, humility, and consistency will ultimately define lasting legacies more than any trophy.
With artists like Lojay setting an example, the conversation may begin to shift toward solutions and reforms rather than public fallout. His advice, grounded in experience and personal growth, is a call for calm in an industry constantly in the public eye.
As the Afrobeats genre continues to grow globally, professionalism and unity among its creators will be key to sustaining its momentum and influence.
