The 2023 Headies Award, a highly anticipated event in the African music industry, unfolded on September 3, 2023, at the Cobb Energy Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. With prominent stakeholders and music enthusiasts in attendance, the evening was poised to celebrate the vibrant world of Nigerian music.

One of the most significant moments of the night was the announcement of Ayra Starr as the winner of the Best Female Artist category, triumphing over formidable competitors, including Tems, Tiwa Savage, and Simi. However, what should have been a joyous moment took a different turn when Ayra Starr took to her Twitter account to express her sentiments about the award not being presented on the grand stage.

In a heartfelt tweet, Ayra Starr articulated her disappointment, asserting that she could not feel truly grateful for an award that was not considered significant enough for an on-stage presentation.

Her tweet read, "I will never be grateful for winning a category that wasn’t even deemed fit to be announced on stage! Best female artist, na beans? We work hard, every single one of us! I’ve seen Tiwa record four hit songs the same night; Tems breathes and lives for music; we didn’t deserve such nonchalance! Nigeria, you didn’t raise me to settle for less."

It is worth noting that the 2023 Headies opted to announce only a portion of the winners during the ceremony, with the Best Female Artist award being one of the 14 awards, including the prestigious Record of the Year, announced after the event in Atlanta.

Ayra Starr's candid tweet reflects the sentiments of some viewers who perceived the decision not to present the female artist award on stage as a sign of disrespect towards the female segment of the music industry. Her message underscores the importance of recognising and celebrating the accomplishments of female artists on an equal footing with their male counterparts.