For years, the Headies has been a dream for young Nigerians who grew up watching their favourite artistes grace the stage, receive awards and perform in front of thousands of fans. Many of today’s rising stars once watched those moments as kids and imagined what it would feel like to have their names called at the Headies.
Now, that dream is becoming a reality for a new generation.
The 18th Headies Awards is giving several fresh faces their first major recognition on one of Africa’s biggest music award platforms. From Afrobeats and R&B to alternative music, rap and street-hop, these artistes are showing that the next chapter of Nigerian music is already here.
Here are some of the artistes making their first Headies appearance and the categories they have been nominated in:
FOLA
FOLA is one of the biggest new names on this year’s list, leading the new generation with multiple nominations. He received nominations for Best Male Artiste, Album of the Year for Catharsis, Best R&B Album, Best Recording of the Year for “You”, Songwriter of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year, Digital Artiste of the Year, Headies Viewers’ Choice and Next Rated.
Mavo
Mavo earned nominations for Best Male Artiste, Digital Artiste of the Year and Next Rated. His collaboration with WAVE$TAR, “Escaladizzy”, is also nominated for Best Collaboration and Headies Viewers’ Choice.
Shoday
Shoday is competing for Next Rated. His song “Hey Jago”, featuring Poco Lee and Rahman Jago, is nominated for Song of the Year and Best Collaboration.
Ṣẹwà
Ṣẹwà is nominated for Best Female Artiste, Best Alternative Album for Detox, Best Alternative Song for “Lagos Lovin” and Best Vocal Performance (Female) for the same song.
Scottyolorin
Scottyolorin receives a Best Alternative Album nomination for Olorin Pack.
Zaylevelten
Zaylevelten is nominated for Best Alternative Album for Then 1t Got Crazy and Best Rap Single for “Wuse Tu”.
BLNDE
BLNDE earns a Best Alternative Song nomination for “Omo to Sexy”.
WAVE$TAR
WAVE$TAR is nominated for Best Alternative Song for “Prada Baby”. He also features on Mavo’s “Escaladizzy”, which is nominated for Best Collaboration and Headies Viewers’ Choice.
Rybeena
Rybeena is nominated for Best Street-Hop Artiste for “Gaddem”, featuring Shoday.
Famous Pluto
Famous Pluto earns a Best Street-Hop Artiste nomination for “Na Scra”.
Kashcoming
Kashcoming is nominated for Best Street-Hop Artiste for “All My Money”.
Odeal
Odeal makes his Headies debut with a Best Vocal Performance (Male) nomination for “Patience”.
Layefa
Layefa is nominated for Best R&B Single and Best Vocal Performance (Female) for “6:35”.
PDSTRN
PDSTRN receives two nominations for “Moshood”: Best Rap Single and Lyricist on the Roll.
Elmah
Elmah earns a Best Recording of the Year nomination for her contribution to Omah Lay’s “Coping Mechanism”.
Tuff King
Tuff King receives three nominations: Best Rap Single for “Nkemakonam”, Best Street-Hop Artiste and Best Rap Album for Black Sheepizen (The 13th Disciple).
Luwa.mp4
Luwa.mp4 is nominated for Best Alternative Song alongside Jeleel! for “CYK Baddie”.
Kunmie
Kunmie is among the most recognised emerging artistes this year. He is nominated for Best R&B Album for Before We Became Strangers, while “Arike” is nominated for Best Recording of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year and Headies Viewers’ Choice.
Amaeya
Amaeya earns four nominations for “How Do You?” — Best Recording of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Best R&B Single and Best Vocal Performance (Female).
Amma
Amma is nominated for Rookie of the Year and Best R&B Single for “I Love You”.
Danpapa GTA
Danpapa GTA is nominated for Rookie of the Year.
Firstklaz
Firstklaz is nominated for Rookie of the Year.
Kidd Carder
Kidd Carder is nominated for Rookie of the Year.
NO11
NO11 is nominated for Rookie of the Year.
Priesst
Priesst is nominated for Rookie of the Year.
OG Abbah
OG Abbah is nominated for Rookie of the Year.
For many of these artistes, the 18th Headies is more than an award nomination. It is a moment that turns a childhood dream into reality.
They grew up watching the biggest names in African music grace the Headies stage. Now, they have the opportunity to stand alongside those same stars and introduce their own sound to an even bigger audience. The next generation has arrived and the Headies is giving them a stage.
