Davido, Tems, Rema Shine at 17th Headies Awards

By Mabeni Aboh

The 17th Headies Awards, held in Lagos on Sunday, celebrated musical talents across Nigeria and Africa. The event, themed "Back to Base" and "Apologetically African," honored artists in 31 categories.

Some of the notable winners include:
- Rema: Afrobeats Album of the Year for "HEIS"
- Tems: Best Recording of the Year for "Burning"
- Davido: Digital Artist of the Year
- Zerry DL: Rookie of the Year
- Odumodublvck: Next Rated Artist

The event also recognized contributions to the music industry, with Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu receiving a Special Recognition Award. Other notable attendees included Don Jazzy, Nancy Isime, and Cubana Chief Priest.

The Headies Awards made a grand return to Nigeria after two years of hosting in Atlanta, United States. This edition marked the first of two ceremonies planned for 2025, with the 18th Headies Awards scheduled for December.
Full List of Winners:

Rookie of the Year
(WINNER: Zerry DL)
– Taves
– Kaestyle
– Llona

Best Recording of the Year
(WINNER: “Burning” – Tems)
– “Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez
– “Higher” – Burna Boy
– “Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr and Giveon
– “Billions” – Sarz and Lojay

Best Vocal Performance (Male)
(WINNER: “Billions” – Lojay)
– “Moving” – Omah Lay
– “Gratitude” – Anendlessocean
– “For You” – Johnny Drille
– “Ke Na Ke So” – Timi Dakolo

Best Vocal Performance (Female)
(WINNER: “I’m Done” – Liya)
– “Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr
– “Level” – Niniola
– “Stranger” – Simi
– “Tomorrow” – Yemi Alade

Next Rated
(WINNER: Odumodublvck)
– Qing Madi
– Shallipopi
– Ayo Maff

Song of the Year
(WINNER: “Lonely at the Top” – Asake)
– “Egwu” – Chike and Mohbad
– “OZEBA” – Rema
– “Showa” – Kizz Daniel
– “Commas” – Ayra Starr

Afrobeats Single of the Year
(WINNER: “Big Baller” – Flavour)
– “Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
– “Twe Twe Remix” – Kizz Daniel
– “Egwu” – Chike (feat. Mohbad)
– “Remember” – Asake
– “Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
Producer of the Year
(WINNER: “OZEBA” – London)
– “Happiness” – Sarz
– “Basquiat” – Magicsticks
– “HEHEHE” – Rema, Producer X, Cubeatz, Deatz and Klimperboy
– “Different Patterns” – Dibs

Afrobeats Album of the Year
(WINNER: HEIS – Rema)
– Stubborn – Victony
– Work of Art – Asake
– The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
– Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn

Music Video of the Year
(WINNER: “EGWU” – Director Pink)
– “Charm” – Rema (directed by Perliks and Folarin Oludare)
– “Metaverse” – Jyde Ajala
– “Like Ice Spice” – Perliks and Emeka Shine Shine
– “Ojapiano” – Mattmax
– “Showa” – TG Omori
– “Na Money” – Dammy Twitch

Soundtrack of the Year
(WINNER: “Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack” – TCJ and Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack))
– “Eledumare” – Teledalase (Aníkúlápó: 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