Benue-born entertainer Joseph Oche Udeh, popularly known as Big Smart, has dedicated his recognition at the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) to his late father and the people of Benue State, describing the achievement as a significant moment in his entertainment career.

The United States-based entertainer was named the inaugural winner of the Best Hypeman/MC category at the awards ceremony held in Dallas, Texas.

The newly introduced category recognises the contributions of hypemen and masters of ceremonies to live entertainment, audience engagement and the wider African music industry.

For Big Smart, the recognition represents more than an individual career milestone. It also provides an opportunity to acknowledge his upbringing, family and the people who supported his development in the entertainment industry.

Reflecting on the award, the entertainer expressed gratitude to God and those who had supported him throughout his journey.

He traced his career from his days at Benue State University, now known as the Reverend Father Moses Orshio Adasu University, to his growing presence on international entertainment platforms, describing the experience as one shaped by hard work, consistency and belief in his abilities.

Big Smart said the award held particular emotional significance because of the memory of his late father.

By dedicating the recognition to his father and Benue State, he sought to acknowledge the personal relationships and community ties that have remained important throughout his career.

The entertainer has maintained a connection to his Nigerian background despite building a professional presence outside the country.

His recognition at AFRIMMA has also drawn attention to Benue State’s contribution to Nigeria’s creative industry, which extends beyond music production and performance to include entertainment hosting and event presentation.

According to the entertainer, the award serves as encouragement to continue developing his career while remaining connected to the people and experiences that shaped his journey.

He also expressed appreciation to supporters who had followed his work and contributed to his progress over the years.

Big Smart’s entertainment career has taken him from Nigeria to engagements in different international markets.

According to information released by his representatives, he has participated in entertainment activities across the United States, the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe, Dubai and several African countries.

These engagements have contributed to his profile as a hypeman and event host working across different audiences and entertainment settings.

Hypemen play a distinctive role in contemporary African music culture, particularly during concerts, festivals, nightclub performances and other live events.

Their work involves maintaining audience participation, introducing performers, coordinating transitions and helping sustain the energy of a live performance.

While singers, producers and instrumentalists traditionally receive much of the attention at music awards, the introduction of categories recognising hypemen reflects a wider acknowledgement of the different professionals involved in live entertainment.

For Big Smart, becoming the first recipient of AFRIMMA’s Best Hypeman/MC award represents recognition of a career built around that aspect of the industry.

The African Muzik Magazine Awards celebrates African music and entertainment, recognising performers and other industry participants.

The addition of a Best Hypeman/MC category to the 2026 awards programme extends recognition to entertainers whose contributions are often experienced directly by concert audiences but may receive less attention outside live performances.

Hypemen have become increasingly visible within African entertainment, particularly as Afrobeats and other African music genres attract international audiences.

Their responsibilities can extend beyond introducing artistes to helping shape the atmosphere of concerts, festivals and promotional events.

In some cases, hypemen also develop independent professional identities through collaborations, digital content and appearances at international events.

Big Smart’s award places him among the entertainers receiving recognition for work in this area.

The significance of the inaugural category also lies in its acknowledgement of an entertainment profession that has become an established part of many live music experiences.

In addition to his work as a hypeman and master of ceremonies, Big Smart is the Chief Executive Officer of Finish Media, an entertainment company involved in talent management and music promotion.

Through the company, he has pursued activities extending beyond stage hosting into other areas of the creative industry.

His representatives also disclosed that he received an invitation to join the Recording Academy’s Class of 2026.

The Recording Academy is the organisation responsible for the Grammy Awards and brings together professionals working across different aspects of the music industry.

However, the nature of Big Smart’s membership invitation and his current membership status were not detailed in the announcement.

The entertainer’s involvement in entertainment management and promotion reflects his interest in developing a broader professional presence within the industry.

Following the AFRIMMA recognition, Big Smart expressed his intention to pursue further international opportunities and expand his audience.

He said the award had strengthened his determination to continue developing his career and contributing to the visibility of African entertainment internationally.

The achievement also provides a new milestone in a professional journey that began in Benue State and has since extended to audiences in different countries.

For the entertainer, however, the recognition remains closely connected to his personal history.

By dedicating the award to his late father and the people of Benue State, Big Smart has placed family, community and gratitude at the centre of his celebration.

As he considers the next stage of his career, the inaugural AFRIMMA Best Hypeman/MC award stands as a significant recognition of his work in live entertainment and the wider creative industry.