Headies Awards
Rema, Ayra Starr and Tems are among the top nominees for the 2025 Headies Awards, a pan-African music awards event set for April 5 in Lagos, Nigeria. This will mark the show’s return to Africa after holding its last two ceremonies in Atlanta. The Headies Awards will be livestreamed on YouTube (U.S.) and Hip TV (Nigeria).
Odumodublvck is the top nominee with eight nods. Rema and Ayra Starr each received seven. Tems, Shallipopi and Kizz Daniel each have six.
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Wale, Skepta, Chris Brown, Travis Scott and Chloe Bailey are vying for international artist of the year.
“We are so excited about this year’s Headies Awards,” Ayo Animashaun, executive producer and founder of The Headies, said in a statement. “Our stellar lineup features dynamic artists from around the globe who have impacted their audience and the industry.”
To mark its return to Africa, The Headies Awards introduces The Headies Festival with a series of activities showcasing the best of Afrobeats and hip-hop music, entertainment and culture. The event schedule will commence on March 29, featuring events such as The Headies Stakeholder Brunch, Official Nominees Party, U.S. Consulate Reception and Afrobeats Conference and will climax with the Headies Awards ceremony.
The Headies Awards, originally called the Hip Hop World Awards, was established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.
Only music materials released and distributed on digital streaming platforms, and physical music media within the eligibility period (April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024) were considered for nominations.
Here’s the complete list of nominations for the 2025 Headies Awards. For more details, visit https://theheadies.com.
Artiste of the year
Davido
Ayra Starr
Asake
Rema
Tems
Burna
Song of the year
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel
“Commas” – Ayra Starr
“Egwu” – Chike and Mohbad
“Lonely at the Top” – Asake
“Ozeba” – Rema
“Big Baller” – Flavour
Album of the year
Born in the Wild – Tems
Heis – Rema
The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
Rookie of the year
Zerry Dl
Taves
Kaestyle
Llona
Best recording of the year
Tems – “Burning”
Seyi Vibez – “Different Pattern”
Burna Boy – “Higher”
Ayra Starr & Giveon – “Last Heartbreak Song”
Sarz featuring Lojay – “Billions”
Best vocal performance (female)
Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song”
Niniola – “Level”
Simi – “Stranger”
Liya – “I’m Done”
Tomorrow – “Yemi Alade”
Best vocal performance (male)
Lojay – “Billions”
Omah Lay – “Moving”
Anendlessocean – “Gratitude”
Johnny Drille – “For You”
Timi Dakolo – “Ke Na Ke So”
Best collaboration
“Emotions” – Tiwa Savage Feat. Asa
“Blood on the Dance Floor” Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian and Wale
“Cast” – Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck
“Egwu” – Chike and Mohbad
“Ole” – Qing Madi and Bnxn
“Twe Twe” Remix – Kizz Daniel and Davido
“IDK” – Wizkid feat. Zlatan
International artiste of the year
Wale – “Blood on the Dance Floor” (Odumodublvck)
Skepta – “Tony Montana” (feat. Portable)
Chris Brown – “Hmmm” (feat. Davido)
Travis Scott – “Active” (Asake)
Chloe Bailey – “Vision” remix (Qing Madi)
Music video of the year
“Charm” – Rema (Rema X Perliks X Folarin Oludare)
“Metaverse” – Olamide (Jyde Ajala)
“Like Ice Spice” – Blaqbonez (Perliks & Emeka Shine Shine)
“Ojapiano” – Kcee (Mattmax)
“Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad (Director Pink)
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel (Tg Omori)
“Na Money” – Davido feat. Cavemen, Angelique Kidjo (Dammy Twitch)
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)
Producer of the year
Sarz – “Happiness”
London – “Ozeba”
Magicstick – “Basquiat”
Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Kilmberboy – “Hehehe”
Dibs – “Different Pattern”
Best R&B single
Qing Madi – “Vision”
Johnny Drille – “For You”
Simi – “Stranger”
Tems – “Burning”
Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song” feat. Giveon
Best rap single
“Cast” feat. Odumodublvck – Shallipoppi
“Blood on the Dance Floor” feat. Bloody Civilian & Wale – Odumodublvck
“Hallelujah” – Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morrelo
“Canada” – Magnito
“Ije Nwoke” – Jeriq
Best street-hop artiste
Seyi Vibez – “Different Patterns”
Ayo Maff – “Dealer” (feat. Fireboy Dl)
Shallipopi – “Cast” (feat. Odumodublvck)
Zhus Jdo – “Johnbull”
Mohbad – “Ask About Me”
Afrobeats single of the year
“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez
“Twe Twe Remix” – Kizz Daniel
“Egwu” feat. Mohbad – Chike
“Remember” – Asake
“Ogechi” remix – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel feat. 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
“Gratitude” – Anendlessocean
“Worthy of My Praise” – Dunsin Oyekan feat. Lawrence Oyor
“Good God 2” – Limoblaze feat. Naomi Raine
“Particularly” – Gaise Baba feat. Tope Alabi
“You Do This One” – Mercy Chinwo
Headies’ viewers’ choice
“Big Big Things” feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez – Young Jonn
“Ogechi” remix feat. Davido – Hyce, Boypee, And Brown Joel
“Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel
“Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez
“Ozeba” – Rema
“Love Me Jeje” – Tems
“Cast” feat. Odumodublvck – Shallipopi
“Dealer” feat. Fireboy Dml – Ayo Maff
“Big Baller” – Flavour
Best West African artiste of the year
Black Sherif (Ghana) – “January 9th”
King Promise (Ghana) – “Terminator”
Himra (Ivory Coast) – “Coulibaly & Diabaté”
Josey (Ivory Coast) – “Venez Bouger”
Toofan (Togo) – “Tone”
Best East African artiste of the year
Bien (Kenya) – “Wahala”
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) – “Mapoz”
Juma Jux (Tanzania) – “Enjoy”
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda) – “When She’s Around”
Azawi (Uganda) – “Masavu”
Best North African artiste of the year
Mohamed Ramadan (Egypt) – “Arabi”
Elgrande Toto (Morocco) – “Maghribi”
Soolking (Algeria) – “Tiki Taka”
Balti (Tunisia) – “Dima Mechi”
Abu (Eygpt) – “Hollela”
Best Southern African artiste of the year
Titom (South Africa) –“Tshwala Bam”
Yuppe (South Africa) – “Tshwala Bam”
Tyla (South Africa) – “Water”
Kelly Kay (Malawi) – “Bana Pwanya”
Plutonio (Mozambique) – “Acordar”
Zee Nxumalo (South Africa) – “Thula Mabota”
Best Central African artiste of the year
Innoss’b (DRC) – “Sete”
Gaz Mawete (DRC) – “Dendisa”
Emma’a (Gabon) – “Biso Mibale”
Eboloko (Gabon) – “Satanana”
Singuila. (Central African Republic) – “Sin Saison”
Kocee (Cameroun) – “Credit Alert”
Best rap album
Sideh Kai – Illbliss
Eziokwu – Odumodublvck
Alaye Toh Se Gogo Vol. 1 – Reminisce
Family Time – Erigga
Shiny Object Syndrome – Modenine
Soundtrack of the year
Eledumare – Teledalese (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)
Lose to Gain – Kaline (Breath of Life)
Kill Boro – Native Filmworks & Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)
Orisa – Beriola (Orisa)
Emotions – Tiwa Savage & Asa (Water and Garri)
Tribe Called Judah soundtrack – TCJ & Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah)
Next rated
Qing Madi
Shallipopi
Odumodublvck
Ayo Maff
Nasboi
Afrobeats album of the year
Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
The Year I Turn 21 – Ayra Starr
Heis – Rema
Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn
Best performer (live)
Rema – Ravage Uprising: Rema Live From The O2, London
Omah Lay – Live at L’olympia Paris
Flavour – Celebrating You 2023
Wizard Chan – Live in Concert Port Harcourt
Burna Boy – African Giant Live From London
Femi Kuti & The Positive Force – Nuits De Fourvière (Arte Concert)
Digital artiste of the year
Ayra Starr
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Davido
Kizz Daniel
Asake
Special recognition
Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo A.K.A Kcee
Rema and Burna Boy each received three awards at the 2023 Headies Awards. The show, which celebrates Pan-African and Afrobeats talent, was held on Sunday (Sept. 3) at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta.
Rema won best male artist, digital artiste of the year and African artiste of the year. In addition, Selena Gomez, who teamed with Rema on the global hit “Calm Down,” won international artiste of the year, while Director K, who directed the music video for the “Calm Down” remix, won best music video.
Burna Boy took Afrobeats single of the year and song of the year, both for “Last Last” as well as best R&B single for “For My Hand,” featuring Ed Sheeran.
Three artists won two awards each — Odumodublvck, Asake, Victony & Tempoe.
The eligibility period for the awards was January 2022 to March 2023.
Actor and host Terrence J. Nigerian and actress Osas Ighodaro hosted the show, which was streamed live on YouTube (U.S.) and HipTV (Africa) Network.
Bayanni, Khaid, Guchi, Bloody Civilian, Odumodublvck and Eltee Skhillz competed for rookie of the year. The winner, Odumodublvck, will receive not only glory, but also also a solar-powered, two-bedroom, fully furnished house.
Sean “Love” Combs was previously announced as the recipient of the international artiste recognition award. He was not present at the show, but organizers say his plaque will be delivered.
The Headies Awards, originally called the Hip Hop World Awards, were established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World Magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.
This marked the show’s second year at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. It was held in Lagos or Nigeria every year from 2006 to 2021 (except 2017 and 2020, when there was no ceremony).
In the past year, three major, all-genre music awards shows have introduced Afrobeats or African music categories. The American Music Awards were the first major music awards show to add such a category. They added favorite Afrobeats artist at the show that aired Nov. 20, 2022. Wizkid was the inaugural winner, beating Burna Boy, CKay, Fireboy DML and Tems.
The MTV Video Music Awards added a new category this year — best Afrobeats. The front-runner is Rema & Gomez’s “Calm Down,” which is nominated in two other categories, best song and best collaboration.
The Grammys added a similar category, best African music performance, this year (for the awards that will be presented on Feb. 4, 2024). Grammy nominations will be announced on Nov. 10.
Here is the full list of winners for the 2023 Headies Awards. For more details, visit theheadies.com.
Hall of Fame
WINNER: Youssou N’dour
Special Recognition
WINNER: Sound Sultan
International Artiste Recognition Award
WINNER: Sean “Love” Combs
International Artist of the Year
Drake
Future
WINNER: Selena Gomez
Don Toliver
Ed Sheeran
Album of the Year
Love, Damini – Burna Boy
WINNER: Mr Money With the Vibe – Asake
Rave And Roses – Rema
Boy Alone – Omah Lay
Outlaw – Victony
Timeless – Davido
Song of the Year
“Calm Down” – Rema
WINNER: “Last Last” – Burna Boy
“Ku Lo Sa” – Oxlade
“Buga” – Kizz Daniel & Tekno
“Finesse” – Pheelz Ft. Bnxn
“Sungba Remix” – Asake Ft. Burna Boy
Best Female Artiste
Tems
Simi
WINNER: Ayra Starr
Tiwa Savage
Best Male Artiste
Asake
WINNER: Rema
Kizz Daniel
Ruger
Omah Lay
Burna Boy
Rookie of the Year
Bayanni
Khaid
Guchi
Bloody Civilian
WINNER: Odumodublvck
Eltee Skhillz
Best Recording of the Year
“Alone” – Burna Boy
WINNER: “Soweto” – Victony & Tempoe
“I’m A Mess” – Omah Lay
“Ku Lo Sa” – Oxlade
“Stand Strong” – Davido Ft. Sunday Service Choir
“No Woman, No Cry” – Tems
Producer of the Year
Magicsticks – “Sungba Remix” (Asake)
P.Prime, Tmxo & Pheelz – “Electricty” (Pheelz Ft Davido)
Andre Vibez & London – “Calm Down” (Rema)
Tempoe – “Soweto” (Victony & Tempoe)
Kel-P – “Kpe Paso” (Wande Coal & Olamide)
WINNER: Rexxie – “Abracadabra” (Rexxie, Naira Marley, Skiibii & Wizkid)
Songwriter of the Year
WINNER: Simi Kosoko, Godsfavour Chidozie, Kosoko Adekunle, Marcel Akunwata – “Loyal” (Simi)
Stanley Didia, Adebajo Adebanjo – “I’m A Mess” (Omah Lay)
Tems, Ludwig Goransson, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Ryan Coogler – “Lift Me Up” (Rihanna)
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Austin Jnr Iornongu Iwar, Peace Oredope, Ludwig Goransson – “Alone” (Burna Boy)
Daniel Benson “In My Mind” (Bnxn)
Fuayefika Maxwell – Earth Song (Wizard Chan)
Best R&B Single
WINNER: “For My Hand” – Burna Boy Ft. Ed Sheeran
“Mmadu” – Ckay
“Just 4 U” – Dami Oniru
“Red Wine” – Preye
“Hard To Find” – Chike – Ft. Flavour
“Loyal” – Simi Ft. Fave
Best Rap Single
“Hustle” – Reminisce
“Big Energy” – Ladipoe
“Back In Uni” – Blaqbonez
“Bando Diaries” – Psychoyp
WINNER: “Declan Rice” – Odumodublvck
“My Bro” – Jeriq Ft. Phyno
Best Alternative Song
WINNER: “Earth Song” – Wizard Chan
“Final Champion” – Cruel Santino
“The Traveller” – Basketmouth Ft The Cavemen
“In A Loop” – Boj Ft Moliy & Mellissa
“Game Changer” (Dike) – Flavour
“Tinko Tinko” – Obongjayar
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
Niniola – “Memories”
Simi – “Loyal”
WINNER: Waje – “In Between“
Liya – “Adua Remix”
Preye – “Red Wine”
Dami Oniru – “Just 4 U”
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
Oxlade – “Ku Lo Sa”
Ric Hassani – “My Only Baby”
Magixx – “Love Don’t Cost A Dime”
Chike – “Spell Remix”
Praiz – “Reckless”
WINNER: Wande Coal – “Kpe Paso”
Best Music Video
Blaqbonez & Perliks – “Back In Uni” (Blaqbonez)
Tg Omori – “Pbuy” (Asake)
Director Pink– “Spell Remix” (Chike & Oxlade)
Tg Omori – “Bandana” (Fireboy & Asake)
Director K – “Common Person” (Burna Boy)
WINNER: Director K – “Calm Down” (Rema)
Best Collaboration
Asake Ft. Burna Boy – “Sungba Remix”
Bnxn Ft. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – “Gwagwalada”
Pheelz Ft. Bnxn – “Finesse”
WINNER: Spyro Ft. Tiwa Savage – “Who’s Your Guy Remix”
Pheelz Ft. Davido – “Electricity”
Wande Coal Ft. Olamide – “Kpe Paso”
Best Street-Hop Artiste
Rexxie Ft. Naira Marley & Skiibii – “Abracadabra”
WINNER: Seyi Vibez – “Chance (Na Ham)”
Asake – “Joha”
Zlatan Ft. Young Jonn – “Astalavista”
Poco Lee & Hotkid – “Otilo”
Mohbad – “Peace”
Afrobeats Single of the Year
WINNER: “Last Last” – Burna Boy
“Rush” – Ayra Starr
“Buga” – Kizz Daniel & Tekno
“Finesse” – Pheelz Ft Bnxn
“Who’s Your Guy?” – Spyro
“Asiwaju” – Ruger
Headies’ Viewers’ Choice
Ruger – “Asiwaju”
WINNER: Victony & Tempoe – “Soweto”
Fireboy Dml & Asake – “Bandana”
Ayra Star – “Rush”
Asake – “Terminator”
Mavins – “Overloading (Overdose)”
Crayon – “Ijo (Laba Laba)”
Oxlade – “Ku Lo Sa”
Kizz Daniel & Tekno – “Buga”
Pheelz & Davido – “Electricity”
Best West African Artiste of the Year
Gyakie (Ghana)
WINNER: Black Sherif (Ghana)
The Therapist (Liberia)
Camidoh (Ghana)
Best East African Artiste of the Year
Zuchu
WINNER: Diamond Platinumz
Rayvanny
Eddy Kenzo
Hewan Gebreworld
Best North African Artiste of the Year
Marwa Loud – Morocco
Wegz – Egypt
WINNER: El Grande Toto – Morocco
Soolking – Algeria
Best Southern African Artiste of the Year
Aka (South Africa)
Nasty C – South Africa
Costa Titch – South Africa
Uncle Waffles – South Africa
WINNER: Focalistic – South Africa
Dj Tarico – Mozambique
Best Central African Artiste of the Year
Fally Ipupa – Democratic Republic of Congo
Gaz Mawete – Democratic Republic of Congo
Matias Damasio – Angola
Emma’a – Gabon
WINNER: Libianca – Cameroon
Best R&B Album
Home – Johnny Drille
WINNER: The Brother’s Keeper – Chike
Reckless – Praiz
Waje 2.0 – Waje
Matter of Time – Dami Oniru
To Be Honest (Tbh) – Simi
Best Alternative Album
Horoscopes – Basketmouth
WINNER: Gbagada Express – BOJ
Some Nights I Dream of Doors – Obongjayar
Subaru Boys: Final Heaven – Cruel Santino
Heart of the Heavenly Undeniable – Somadina
Native World – Native Sound System
Best Rap Album
Fly Talk Only – Payper Corleone
Palmwine Music Vol 3 – Show Dem Camp
WINNER: Young Preacher – Blaqbonez
Ypszn3 – Psychoyp
Teslim: The Energy Still Lives in Me – Vector
Billion Dollar Dream – Jeriq
Next Rated
Young Jonn
Seyi Vibez
WINNER: Asake
Victony
Spyro
African Artiste of the Year
WINNER: Rema (Nigeria)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Marwa Loud (Morocco)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Lyricist on the Roll
Ladipoe – “Clowns”
Vector – “Clowns”
WINNER: Payper Corleone – “Fly Talk Only”
Alpha Ojini – “Vigilante Bop”
A-Q – “Family First”
Tec (Sdc) – “Live Life”
Best Inspirational Single
“Stand Strong” – Davido Ft Sunday Service Choir
“Jireh (My Provider)” – Limoblaze, Lecrae & Happi Music
“This Year” – Victor Thompson & Ehis ‘D’ Greatest
WINNER: “Eze Ebube” – Neon Adejo
“Tobechukwu” – Nathaniel Bassey And Mercy Chinwo
“I Get Backing” – Victoria Orenze
Digital Artiste of the Year
Burna Boy
Ayra Starr
WINNER: Rema
Omah Lay
Kizz Daniel
Asake
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