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Gospel artiste Gaise Baba has criticised The Headies for limiting faith-based music to the Inspirational category.
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He wants gospel and Afrogospel records to compete in mainstream categories based on their quality and impact.
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The artist also recalled a previous Headies nomination where the Inspirational category was not presented on stage.
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His comments come after he was nominated for Best Inspirational Single at the 2026 Headies for “No Turning Back 2.”
August 28, (THEWILL) — Gospel artiste Gaise Baba has criticised The Headies for what he described as the limited recognition of faith-based music in major award categories.
The Afrogospel artiste made his position known in an open letter to The Headies organisers on X on Friday, August 28.
Gaise Baba argued that gospel artistes should be judged on the quality, creativity and impact of their music rather than being limited to the Inspirational category.
He said faith-based music can exist across different musical styles and should be recognised accordingly.
According to him, a rap song should still be considered rap regardless of whether its lyrics focus on faith, money, relationships or other subjects.
He wrote, “A rap record is a rap record. It does not stop being rap because of what the artist chose to rap about. Whether the record is about money, fame, sex, debauchery, or faith, the craft, pen game, cadence, delivery, and the flow are what make it a rap record, not the subject matter.”
Gaise Baba also questioned why faith-based songs should be restricted to the Inspirational category while other songs are allowed to compete in broader categories based on their artistic value.
He recalled that The Headies introduced the Inspirational category in 2022, describing it as a positive step towards recognising faith-based music.
However, he said his experience at the 2024 edition of the awards left him disappointed.
Gaise Baba was nominated in 2024 for Best Inspirational Single for “Particularly,” featuring Tope Alabi. He said his team attended the media rounds, pre-award reception and the main ceremony, only to discover that the category was not presented on stage.
He described the omission as unfair to the artists and creatives nominated in the category.
Gaise Baba also questioned whether the industry was giving enough recognition to the cultural impact of faith-based music.
He cited songs such as “Favour” and “No Turning Back 2” as examples of faith-based records that have reached audiences beyond the traditional gospel music space.
“If a song that explores sexual desire and the objectification of a woman’s body is celebrated for its artistic value and allowed full sway in the industry’s ocean, why should the one on faith be restricted to an aquarium?” he asked.
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His comments come after the nominees for the 18th Headies were announced on August 25.
Gaise Baba and Lawrence Oyor are nominated for Best Inspirational Single with “No Turning Back 2.” They will compete against Sunmisola Agbebi and Yinka Okeleye’s “Amioluwa,” Lawrence Oyor’s “Favour,” Sinach’s “Idinma (You Are Good),” Emma OMG’s “Korin Iyin (I Will Praise You)”, and Mercy Chinwo’s “We Move.”
The Headies describe Best Inspirational Single as a voting category for the most outstanding inspirational or faith-based song.
The 18th Headies, themed “Africa to the World”, is scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada, on October 25, 2026.
Gaise Baba’s remarks have renewed debate over the recognition of faith-based music within Nigeria’s mainstream music industry.
Evi-Ben Ezaga is an entertainment and society writer with a passion for stories that explore culture, people, and the stories shaping society today.
