Headies 25: Shallipopi Reacts as he Receives Handshake Instead of Plaque After Winning Award
- Nigerian singer Shallipopi has blown hot on social media over what happened on stage at the just-concluded Headies 2025 Awards
- Shallipopi expressed his displeasure online after he was announced as the winner of the Best Rap Single award and got a handshake
- Many Nigerians reacted to the situation after the video went viral online, as they dropped their hot takes on the matter
- Afrobeat singer Asha Gangali said controversy is common with award shows, he addressed the integrity of the Headies executive producer
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Nigerian singer Crown Uzama aka Shallipopi has called out the Headies Awards organisers after the just-concluded edition.
On April 27, 2025, the Headies 2025 Awards, tagged Back to Base, took place in Lagos, and many top celebrities graced the occasion, including 2baba’s ex-wife Annie Macauley, Regina Daniels, Davido, and more.
Source: Twitter
During the event, Shallipopi was announced the winner of the Best Rap Single Award. However, after he got on stage to collect his award, he was given just a handshake while the popular Headies plaque was nowhere to be seen.
Despite this, Shallipopi accepted the handshake and went on to give a speech to his fans present at the event.
See the video below:
Shortly after the video of Shallipopi accepting a handshake instead of an award plaque at the 2025 Headies went viral, the Laho crooner took to his X page to address the development.
In a series of tweets, Shallipopi vowed never to attend another Headies Award. He also added that he did not want the award because he is not a rapper.
In his words:
“The next one if una see me make I bend.”
“I nor go even lie for una sef, I nor want that award give the real rappers wey dey the category, me Shallipopi I nor be rapper.”
See the tweets below:
Headies 2025: Reactions as Shallipopi fumes
Shallipopi’s reaction to not receiving a plaque at the 2025 Headies triggered a series of comments from netizens.
Ola told Shallipopi to be happy he got a handshake at least:
Abazz encouraged Shallipopi to push for a Grammy award instead:
Read more comments from Instagram users below:
Rimaowens01 said:
“How will they shake a whole Pluto presido😂the audacity.”
Muyii__gram said:
“Plaque finish ke😂.”
Standard__77 wrote:
“Na dead award...headies na dead award..na only obo fit revive am na why dem go beg am to come.”
Lasgee_oreofe said:
“Let’s stick to our own they said, but seems our own aren’t serious.”
C.h.i.o.m.a___ said:
“Headies na wa for una o.”
Charlesshadrackjideofor said:
“Deep down his heart,he wants it.”
Oloye_king said:
“Since Olamide swear for them, that award never remain the same.”
Globalfashionpage said:
“Let’s not lie sha 😂😂😂na Odumo suppose win this award 🥇 😂😂na Shalli suppose win that next rated 😂😂Abeg I confuse joor Wetin know sef 😂.”
Heisluis_ said:
“How do you compensate an artist with a handshake,the industry is wild 😂.”
Jayywealth wrote:
“Omg he won and no plaque except handshake . This is embarrassing.”
"There's always controversy surrounding award shows" - Expert
The Headies award has come and gone, leaving behind it hordes of controversies and reactions. People claimed some artists were promised awards so they could perform or attend the event. Reacting to the controversies, Afrobeats singer Asha Gangali noted:
"There will always be controversies surrounding award shows and how the winners are nominated and chosen. It is up to the award producers to ensure transparency in their processes.
Vouching for the integrity of the Headies Award, Asha said:
"Headies has been around for years and has become part of the fabric of the culture. We cannot afford to smear its integrity with unfounded theories. I also believe the executive producer will not descend to such a level of compromise for the sake of his legacy in Aftobeats."
Mercy Chinwo wins Headies 2025 award
In other related news, Legit.ng reported that the gospel music industry was not left out of the 17th Headies Awards, with Mercy Chinwo also winning big.
Mercy earned a Headies Awards nomination in the Best Inspirational Single of the Year alongside colleagues like Dunsin Oyekan, Lawrence Oyor and Tope Alabi.
Dunsin Oyekan and Lawrence Oyor were nominated for their collaboration on Worthy of My Praise. Tope Alabi and Gaise Baba earned a spot with their song, particularly, and Mercy Chinwo, who emerged as the winner, made it to the list with her hit song, You Do This One.
Sola Sanusi, HOD of the Entertainment Desk, contributed to this article. She provided exclusive commentary from Afrobeat singer Asha Gangali for this report.
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Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
Taiwo Owolawi (Entertainment Editor) Taiwo Owolawi is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist with six years of work experience at Legit.ng. She graduated from Osun State University with a degree in English and International Studies in 2016. She has also moved on to pursue courses in Copywriting. Taiwo emerged as Legit.ng's Best Entertainment Editor in 2022. Contact: taiwo.owolawi@corp.legit.ng.
Asha Gangali (Singer and music producer) Asha Gangali is a Nigerian singer, actor, talent coach, and entrepreneur. He is known for his iconic talent show "ROC DA MIC AFRICA", which identified talents such as DBanj and Don Jazzy, Timaya, Wande Coal, Soul E, Konga, Seyi Law in 2004-2005. He served as the national treasurer of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and a member of the Executive Board of The Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN). He is also the managing director and co-founder of GOCREATE AFRICA.
