Headies Award Next Rated Contender: Between BNXN (Buju) and Zinoleesky
The topic of the next rated category in the upcoming headies awards has resulted in a debate between music lovers, Between BNXN (Buju) and Zinoleesky who deserved the award.
A few days after the Headies awards announced a new prize for the “Next Rated” category, debates among music fans have erupted over which new artist deserves the prize.
On Tuesday, March 1, 2022, the Headies Awards organizers made a special announcement regarding the overall rebranding of the award ceremony itself, which included taking the venue to the United States, giving the next rated category winner a 2022 Bentley Bentayga car, and introducing six new award categories, among others.
With the upgraded prize for the next rated category, debates have sprung up on Twitter, with a stronger force pointing towards singers BNXN (formerly known as Buju) and Zinoleesky as the two leading acts to contest for the prize
Although names like Ruger and Ayra Starr are included in the conversation, the Zinoleesky vs. BNXN debate was more rampant. While some factions believe Marlian music’s Zinoleesky deserves the award, another faction believes the independent BNXN deserves to win the 2022 Headies Awards “Next Rated” category.
Collaborations that made Buju the hottest artistes at the moment
Show Dem Camp — Do Me Nice
Before everyone knew Buju, before he started performing at the O2 arena two days in a row, Show Dem Camp put the youngun on, on their “Palmwine Express” album in 2019.
He was featured on a cut called “Do Me Nice” and was on the album alongside the then-unknown Tems and Amaarae, among other talents. “Do Me Nice” wasn’t only the biggest hit off the album, but it was also Buju’s ticket to the mainstream.
Basketmouth — Your Body
This is easily one of the most underrated songs from 2021. Basketmouth’s “Your Body” had Buju doing what he does best; singing addictive melodies.
“Your Body” is classic Buju. If you ever wonder what Buju is really about, or what his sound really is, then “Your Body” is what to listen to. The kind of song you put on repeat; it’s got all the good things in all of the right places.
Ladipoe — Feeling
It’s a no-brainer that this is on the list. Buju made a rap song cool, he made rap cool again, he made people wanna rap.
Mostly when we talk about “Feeling,” we give all the credit to Poe who did what most rappers wouldn’t dare do, but the truth is it was Buju that made the song come together. Without Buju, there would be no “Feeling.”
WizKid — Mood
WizKid’s idea for a “Made in Lagos” deluxe worked out. Many people didn’t think it would, but it did. And, the consequence of that is a hit song with Buju.
That combination, without even listening to the song, is a crazy one. They came through, though, and “Mood” was everything you could’ve imagined it would be.
Timaya — Cold Outside
I think we gotta give it to Timaya though. The man’s got away. Somehow he just managed to pop out of nowhere and do a hit.
But after all said and done, “Cold Outside” was all Buju. I can imagine the song without Timaya. But without Buju, well that’s something no one wants to hear.
Savage — Confident
Incidentally one of the lesser-known Buju songs, this is a perfect example of Buju taking over someone else’s song.
Buju was overconfident on this one and he wasn’t shy about it at all. He didn’t outshine Savage, he murdered him.
Zlatan — Alubarika
Maybe it’s to return Zlatan’s favour for putting him on all those years ago or it was purely an A&R decision, the one that is apparent is that Zlatan needed “Alubarika” badly.
His “Resan” album was undoubtedly a critical success and it’s all thanks to contributions like that of Buju’s that made it even possible.
Zinoleesky gradually infiltrates the music industry around 2019 after performing at Marlian fest at Eko hotel, in 2020 he released his single titled ‘Caro’ featuring his label boss Naira Marley, which also serves as his lead single to his debut Six (6) tracks EP titled ‘Chrome‘
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After the release of ‘Caro’ featuring Naira Marley, in the same span of the calendar, Zinoleesky strikes yet again with a visual to his supported single titled ‘Mapariwo’ off the EP ‘Chrome‘ and inspired with an edge of facet in his musical style
The track encapsulates the love story and became his biggest breakout song prior to Rexxie‘s produced track ‘Caro’
The song charted on several radio stations in Lagos and across Nigeria, introducing him to a wider audience, especially other parts of Nigeria aside from Lagos.
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The journey of consistency doesn’t end with just one hit single, meaning that an artist has to repeatedly drop a hit song to be able to solidify the spot.
In December 2020, Zinoleesky released his much-anticipated visuals for yet another lead single titled ‘Kilofeshe’ an amapiano infused sound off his debut EP ‘Chrome’ (Eccentric), which in turns is getting much recognition and connecting the dots of consistency and stability.
The name is already a household name, basically, all the top giants in the Nigerian music industry have acknowledged his art and style.