Who Is Next Rated Artiste Of The Year 2021?

GdNaija July 11, 2021

For many years, the Next Rated category at The Headies award show has been the most prestigious award any artist could win – or even nominated for.

The award which was first won in 2006 by Asa, has over the years been received by so many other great artists including Wizkid, Davido, Sean Tizzle, Patoranking, Mr. Eazi, and much recently Omah Lay.

The category is also one of the most controversial, as every year an ensemble list of new breakout artists is nominated for the award. In 2015, for instance, Olamide caused a scene at the show when Reekado Banks won the award over his protege, Lil Kesh.

In 2018, too, Tekno rejected his nomination because he feels he’s bigger than that recognition. The award later went to Mr. Eazi that year.

There’s hardly any notable artist in this music industry that has not, at one point in time been nominated for the Next Rated award. This shows just how important this recognition is to artists.

In the last two years, the category has been especially tough. In 2019, there was Rema, Fireboy, Joeboy, Lyta, Victor AD, and Zlatan Ibile all up for the award. Frankly, any one of them who wins would have deserved it.

The same thing happened last year when Omah Lay, Bella Shmurda, Oxlade, and Tems were nominated for the award. Omah Lay clearly deserved it more though.

This year we’ve had quite a number of breakout artists who could possibly get a nomination. There’s Buju, Ruger, Cheque, CKay, Ayra Starr, Zinoleesky, Terri, and even Mohbad.

In my opinion, the award will most likely go to Ruger. But let’s hear what you think.