The biggest music award event in Nigeria made a grand return after two years of hosting in Atlanta, United States.
This edition is the first of two ceremonies planned for 2025, with the 18th Headies Awards scheduled for December, compensating for the event’s absence in 2024.
The highly anticipated night celebrated musical talents across Nigeria and Africa in 31 categories.
Rema won Afrobeats Album of the Year for his project HEIS, while Tems took home Best Recording of the Year for her soulful track Burning.
Davido clinched Digital Artiste of the Year, reaffirming his dominance in the digital music space.
Zerry DL, brother of breakout star Shallipopi, was crowned as Rookie of the Year, marking a significant feat in his rising career.
Among the major highlights and most anticipated category, Odumodublvck emerged as the coveted Next Rated Artist, beating out strong contenders like Shallipopi, Qing Madi, and Ayo Maff.
Returning to Nigeria, the 17th Headies Awards featured 31 competitive categories, including Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Recording of the Year, alongside multiple special awards.
Filmmaker Funke Akindele’s record-breaking 2023 movie, A Tribe Called Judah, clinched the inaugural “Soundtrack of the Year” award.
The star-studded event drew key figures from entertainment and politics, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was honoured with a prestigious Special Recognition Award for his contributions to the music and creative industries.
Other Special Recognition recipients included Alex Okosi and Amaju Pinnick.
This 17th edition of the Headies also debuted two new categories — “Soundtrack of the Year” and “Best Performer (Live)” — broadening the range of honours for artistic contributions to the industry
Rise of the Spectre)
– “Lose to Gain” – Kaline (Breath of Life)
– “Kill Boro” – Native Filmworks and Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)
– “Orisa” – Beriola (Orisa)
– “Emotions” – Tiwa Savage and Asa (Water and Garri)
Special Recognition Award Recipients
– Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
– Alex Okosi
– Amaju Pinnick
Humanitarian Award Recipients
– Temitola Adekunle Johnson
– Michelle Mukoro (King Mitchy)
Songwriter of the Year
(WINNER: “Vision” – Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi))
– “Stranger” – Simisola Kosoko (Simi)
– “Can’t Breathe” – Michael Ajuma Attah (Llona)
– “Family Meeting” – Emoseh Khamofu (Bloody Civilian)
– “Stages of Life” – Fuayefika Maxwell (Wizard Chan)
Headies’ Viewers’ Choice
(WINNER: “Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad)
– “Big Baller” – Flavour
– “Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
– “Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
– “Showa” – Kizz Daniel
– “Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez
– “OZEBA” – Rema
– “Love Me Jeje” – Tems
– “Cast” – Shallipopi (feat. Odumodublvck)
– “Dealer” – Ayo Maff (feat. Fireboy DML)
Best Rap Single
(WINNER: “Cast” – Shallipopi and Odumodublvck)
– “Blood on the Dance Floor” – Bloody Civilian, Wale, and Odumodublvck
– “Hallelujah” – Ladipoe, Rozzz, and Morello
– “Canada” – Magnito
– “Ije Nwoke” – Jeriq
Best Street-Hop Artiste
(WINNER: Mohbad – “Ask About Me”)
– Zhus Jdo – “Johnbull”
– Seyi Vibez – “Different Patterns”
– Ayo Maff – “Dealer” (feat. Fireboy DML)
– Shallipopi – “Cast” (feat. Odumodublvck)
Digital Artiste of the Year
(WINNER: Davido)
– Ayra Starr
– Rema
– Shallipopi
– Tems
– Kizz Daniel
– Asake
Best Central African Artiste of the Year
(WINNER: Innoss’B (DRC))
– Gaz Mawete (DRC)
– Emma’A (Gabon)
– Ebokolo (Gabon)
– Singuila (Central African Republic)
– Koceé (Cameroon)
Best East African Artiste of the Year
(WINNER: Juma Jux (Tanzania))
– Bien (Kenya)
– Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
– Bruce Melody (Rwanda)
– Azawi (Uganda)
Special Recognition
– KCee
