The 17th edition of the prestigious Headies Awards lit up Lagos on Sunday, delivering a dazzling celebration of the finest musical talents across Nigeria and the African continent. The event honoured exceptional achievements and groundbreaking work within the past year, showcasing the vibrant and dynamic nature of the region’s music scene.
The evening saw a diverse range of artists recognized for their contributions. Rising star Zerry DL was an early winner, taking home the coveted Rookie of the Year award, a testament to his impactful emergence onto the music landscape. Global Afrobeats icon Davido further solidified his influential status by claiming the Digital Artist of the Year award.
Afrobeats continued its reign as Rema�s acclaimed project, “HEIS,” was crowned Afrobeats Album of the Year. Meanwhile, the deeply resonant track “Burning” by the critically lauded artist Tems earned her the prestigious Best Recording of the Year award.
Beyond celebrating musical achievements, the Headies Awards also took time to honour distinguished individuals with Special Recognition Awards for their significant contributions to various sectors. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, esteemed media executive Alex Okosi, and prominent football administrator Amaju Pinnick were all recognized for their impactful work within the entertainment and sports industries.
One of the most eagerly anticipated moments of the night was the announcement of the Next Rated Artist. In a competitive category featuring Shallipopi, Qing Madi, and Ayo Maff, the highly talented Odumodublvck emerged victorious, signaling him as one of the most exciting prospects to watch in the coming years.
The Headies Awards remain a cornerstone of the Nigerian music industry, providing a vital platform for celebrating excellence and recognizing the hard work and creativity of artists and industry stakeholders. This year’s edition holds particular significance as it kicks off a special two-part schedule, with the 18th edition slated to take place in December. This unique arrangement aims to compensate for the absence of the awards ceremony in 2024, ensuring continuous recognition of the burgeoning African music scene.
Here is the full list of winners at the 17th Headies Awards:
Rookie of the Year
Zerry DL � Winner
taves
Kaestyle
Llona
Soundtrack of the Year
�Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack� � TCJ and Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack) � Winner
�Eledumare� � Teledalase (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)
�Lose to Gain� � Kaline (Breathe of Life)
�Kill Boro� � Native Filmworks and Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)
�Orisa� � Beriola (Orisa)
�Emotions� � Tiwa Savage and Asa (Water and Garri)
Best Recording of the Year
�Burning� � Tems � Winner
�Different Patterns� � Seyi Vibez
�Higher� � Burna Boy
�Last Heartbreak Song� � Ayra Starr and Giveon
�Billions� � Sarz and Lojay
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
�Billions� � Lojay � Winner
�Moving� � Omah Lay
�Gratitude� � Anendlessocean
�For You� � Johnny Drille
�Ke Na Ke So� � Timi Dakolo
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
�I�m Done� � Liya � Winner
�Last Song Heartbreak� � Ayra Starr
�Level� � Niniola
�Stranger� � Simi
�Tomorrow� � Yemi Alade
Special Recognition Award Recipients
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos
Alex Okosi
Amaju Pinnick
Songwriter of the Year
�Vision� � Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi) � Winner
�Stranger� � Simisola Kosoko (Simi)
�Can�t Breathe� � Michael Ajuma Attah (Llona)
�Family Meeting� � Emoseh Khamofu (Bloody Civilian)
�Stages of Life� � Fuayefika Maxwell (Wizard Chan)
Producer of the Year
�OZEBA� � London � Winner
�Happiness� � Sarz
�Basquiat� � Magicsticks
�HEHEHE� � Rema, Producer X, Cubeatz, Deatz and Klimperboy
�Different Patterns� � Dibs
Afrobeats Album of the Year
HEIS � Rema � Winner
Stubborn � Victony
Work of Art � Asake
The Year I turned 21 � Ayra Starr
Jiggy Forever � Young Jonn
Music Video of the Year
�EGWU� � Director Pink � Winner
�Charm� � Rema, Perliks and Folarin Oludare
�Metaverse� � Jyde Ajala
�Like Ice Spice� � Perliks and Emeka Shine Shine
�Ojapiano� � Mattmax
�Showa� � TG Omori
�Na Money� � Dammy Twitch
Afrobeats Single of the Year
�Big Baller� � Flavour � Winner
�Big Big Things� � Young Jonn (ft. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
�Twe Twe Remix� � Kizz Daniel
�Egwu� � Chike (ft. Mohbad)
�Remember� � Asake
�Ogechi Remix� � Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (ft. Davido)
Headies� Viewers� Choice
�Egwu� � Chike & Mohbad � Winner
�Big Baller� � Flavour
�Big Big Things� � Young Jonn (ft. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
�Ogechi Remix� � Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (ft. Davido)
�Showa� � Kizz Daniel
�Different Pattern� � Seyi Vibez
�OZEBA� � Rema
�Love Me Jeje� � Tems
�Cast� � Shallipopi (ft. Odumodublvck)
�Dealer� � Ayo Maff (ft. Fireboy DML)
Best Central African Artiste of the Year
Innoss�B (DRC) � Winner
Gaz Mawete (DRC)
Emma�A (Gabon)
Ebokolo (Gabon)
Singulila (Central African Republic)
Koce� (Cameroon)
Next Rated
Odumodublvck � Winner
Qing Madi
Shallipopi
Ayo Maff
Digital Artiste of the Year
Davido- Winner
Ayra Starr
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Kizz Daniel
Asake
Best Rap Single
Cast � Shallipopi and Odumodublvck � Winner
Blood on the dance floor � Bloody Civilian, Wale and Odumodu Blvck
Hallelujah � Ladipoe, Rozzz, and Morello
Canada � Magnito
Ije Nwoke � Jeriq
Best East African Artiste of the Year
Juma Jux (Tanzania) � Winner
Bien (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Bruce Melody (Rwanda)
Azawi (Uganda)
Best Street-hop artiste
Mohbad � Ask About me � Winner
Zhus Jdo � Johnbull
Seyi Vibez � Different Patterns
Ayo Maff � Dealer ft (Fire Boy)
Shallipopi � Cast ft (Odumodu Blvck
Song of the Year
Lonely at the Top � Asake � Winner
Egwu � Chike and Mohbad
Ozeba � Rema
Showa � Kizz Daniel
Commas � Ayra Starr
Special Recognition
KCee
