After a one-year hiatus, Nigeria’s most prestigious music award show, The Headies, is making a grand return for its highly anticipated 17th edition. The event is scheduled to take place on April 5, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, following widespread criticism of previous editions being held in the United States.
The official nominations list, released on Wednesday, highlights an impressive lineup of local and international artists who have made significant contributions to the music industry over the past year.
One of the standout nominees is Odumodublvck (Tochukwu Ojogwu), leading the pack with an impressive five nominations. Another notable inclusion is the late Mohbad (Ilerioluwa Aloba), who posthumously secured three nominations, nearly two years after his tragic passing in September 2023.
Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr is also in the spotlight, earning three nods and aiming to build on her 2022 success. Rising star Shallipopi (Crown Uzama) joins her with three nominations, marking a significant milestone in his career.
The Rookie of the Year category features fresh talents like Taves, Zerrydl, Kaestyle, and Llona, all recognized for their breakout performances.
A Look at Some Key Nominations:
Best Recording of the Year
- Tems – Burning
- Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
- Burna Boy – Higher
- Ayra Starr & Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
- Sarz ft. Lojay – Billions
Producer of the Year
- Sarz – Happiness
- London – Ozeba
- Magicsticks – Basquiat
- Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Klimperboy – Hehehe
- Dibs – Different Pattern
Songwriter of the Year
- Simisola Kosoko – Stranger (Simi)
- Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma – Vision (Qing Madi)
- Michael Ajuma Attah – Can’t Breathe (Llona)
- Emoseh Khamofu – Family Meeting (Bloody Civilian)
- Fuayefika Maxwell – Stages of Life (Wizard Chan)
Best R&B Single
- Qing Madi – Vision
- Johnny Drille – For You
- Simi – Stranger
- Tems – Burning
- Ayra Starr ft. Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
Best Rap Single
- Cast – Odumodublvck ft. Shallipopi
- Blood on the Dance Floor – Odumodublvck ft. Bloody Civilian & Wale
- Hallelujah – Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morrelo
- Canada – Magnito
- Ije Nwoke – Jeriq
Best Collaboration
- Emotions – Tiwa Savage ft. Asa
- Blood on the Dance Floor – Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian & Wale
- Cast – Shallipopi ft. Odumodublvck
- Egwu – Chike & Mohbad
- Ole – Qing Madi & BNXN
- Twe Twe Remix – Kizz Daniel & Davido
- IDK – Wizkid ft. Zlatan
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
CHARM – (REMA X PERLIKS X FOLARIN OLUDARE)
METAVERSE – (JYDE AJALA)
LIKE ICE SPICE – (PERLIKS & EMEKA SHINE SHINE)
OJAPIANO – (MATTMAX)
EGWU – (DIRECTOR PINK)
SHOWA – (TG OMORI)
NA MONEY – (DAMMY TWITCH)
BEST COLLABORATION
EMOTIONS – TIWA SAVAGE FEAT. ASA
BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR – ODUMODUBLVCK, BLOODY CIVILIAN, AND WALE
CAST – SHALLIPOPI FT ODUMODUBLVCK
EGWU – CHIKE & MOHBAD
OLE – QING MADI & BNXN
TWE TWE REMIX – KIZZ DANIEL & DAVIDO
IDK – WIZKID FT. ZLATAN
BEST STREET-HOP ARTISTE
SEYI VIBEZ – “DIFFERENT PATTERNS”
AYO MAFF – DEALER (FT. FIREBOY DML)
SHALLIPOPI – CAST (FT. ODUMODUBLVCK)
ZHUS JDO – JOHNBULL
MOHBAD – ASK ABOUT ME
AFROBEATS SINGLE OF THE YEAR
BIG BIG THINGS – YOUNG JONN FT. KIZZ DANIEL AND SEYI VIBEZ
TWE TWE REMIX – KIZZ DANIEL
EGWU FEAT. MOHBAD – CHIKE
REMEMBER – ASAKE
OGECHI REMIX – HYCE, BOYPEE, AND BROWN JOEL FT. DAVIDO
BIG BALLER – FLAVOR
LYRICIST ON THE ROLL
MOGADISHU – A-Q
CHOCOLATE CITY CYPHER – M.I ABAGA
CHOCOLATE CITY CYPHER – BLAQBONEZ
HALLELUJAH – LADIPOE
EFELEME – ALPHA OJINI
BEST INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE ARE
GRATITUDE – ANENDLESSOCEAN
WORTHY OF MY PRAISE – DUNSIN OYEKAN FT. LAWRENCE OYOR
GOOD GOD 2 – LIMOBLAZE FT. NAOMI RAINE
PARTICULARLY – GAISE BABA FT. TOPE ALABI
YOU DO THIS ONE – MERCY CHINWO
VIEWERS CHOICE AWARDS
BIG BIG THINGS – YOUNG JONN FT. KIZZ DANIEL AND SEYI VIBEZ
OGECHI REMIX – HYCE, BOYPEE, AND BROWN JOEL FT. DAVIDO
EGWU – CHIKE & MOHBAD
OZEBA – REMA
DIFFERENT PATTERN – SEYI VIBEZ
SHOWA – KIZZ DANIEL
LOVE ME JEJE – TEMS
CAST – SHALLIPOPI FT. ODUMODUBLVCK
DEALER – FLAVOUR FT. FIREBOY
BIG BALLER – FLAVOUR
BEST WEST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
BLACK SHERIF (GHANA)
KING PROMISE (GHANA)
HIMRA (IVORY COAST)
JOSEY (IVORY COAST)
TOOFAN (TOGO)
The awards also recognize talents beyond Nigeria, with categories for artists across Africa. Some of the nominees include Black Sherif (Ghana), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), ElGrande Toto (Morocco), and Tyla (South Africa) in their respective regional categories.
The return of The Headies promises to be a night of celebration, honoring the brilliance and artistry within the African music industry. Fans eagerly await the winners as anticipation builds towards April 5, 2025.
