‘The Headies’ is a Nigerian Award Show for African Music. Here’s Why It’s Happening in Atlanta – Rolling Stone

A shirtless performer with sunglasses and jewelry passionately sings and gestures onstage at a Nigerian Award Show, with an enthusiastic, red-lit audience in the background.

Drawn to Atlanta as one of the world’s Black music and entertainment capitals, executive producer Ayo Animashaun’s Headies Awards will take place at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre this Sunday, September 4, in front of an anticipated full house of 2,750. Since 2006, the Headies have taken place in Nigeria, honoring excellence in music from the West African nation and the continent more widely. 

The Headies got their start as the Hip Hop World Awards, named for the magazine Animashaun founded as rap gained ground in…