Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck has reignited controversy around the 2025 Headies Awards, accusing the organisers of failing to hand over the car prize attached to his Next Rated win. Months after the glitzy ceremony in Atlanta, the rapper says he’s yet to receive the vehicle that has historically accompanied the coveted award.
Taking to his X handle on Monday, the “Blood on the Dance Floor” hitmaker reminded the organisers in his usual unfiltered style: “I don forget say I win CAR. Headies wey my car?” The post immediately went viral, sparking debates on transparency, credibility, and the growing trust gap between award shows and artistes.
The Next Rated category, traditionally one of the most anticipated at the Headies, has launched the careers of stars like Wizkid, Davido, Rema and Ayra Starr. For Odumodublvck, whose win was celebrated with his mother and close-knit crew on stage, the missing prize has cast a shadow over what should have been a defining moment in his career.
Critics argue that the Headies, which relocated its ceremony to the United States in recent years, must restore confidence by addressing such concerns swiftly. Fans point out that failure to fulfil promises damages the reputation of the award, especially when artistes are openly questioning the organisers’ integrity.
This isn’t the first time the rapper has courted headlines over industry practices. From calling out streaming farms to describing Lagos as a tough environment for young creatives, Odumodublvck has built a reputation for speaking truth to power, often sparking uncomfortable but necessary conversations within the Nigerian music ecosystem.
Industry observers warn that if unresolved, the Headies risk losing their standing as Africa’s premier music awards show, especially at a time when the Grammys and BET are opening more doors to Afrobeats stars. “The Headies must understand that credibility is its currency. Once artistes stop believing in the process, the brand loses its value,” one Lagos-based entertainment analyst told our reporter.
For now, Odumodublvck’s fans are amplifying his demand online, with many urging the organisers to clarify whether the car has been delayed, withheld, or simply forgotten. Until then, the rapper’s sharp reminder—equal parts humour and frustration—hangs over the Headies like a cloud, raising fresh questions about accountability in Nigeria’s music industry.
