It was a night of music, memories, and milestones at the 17th Headies Awards, held Sunday at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos. The glitzy ceremony, hosted by beloved Nigerian actress Nancy Isime, celebrated the best of African music from April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024, drawing stars, dignitaries, and fans under one roof for one of the continent’s most anticipated music events.
Odumodublvck emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners, clinching the coveted “Next Rated” award and “Best Rap Single” for his collaboration “Cast” with Shallipopi. The win marks a significant milestone in the rapper’s breakout year.
In a deeply emotional moment, the late Mohbad was posthumously awarded “Best Street-Hop Artiste” for his hit “Ask About Me.” The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, a fitting tribute to the artist whose legacy continues to echo through the streets and soundwaves of Nigeria.
Superstar Rema secured “Album of the Year” for ‘HeIs’, further cementing his position as a global ambassador of Afrobeats. He also took home the Best Live Performer award, beating out industry giants like Burna Boy and Femi Kuti.
The night also saw special recognition awards presented to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Alex Okosi, and Amaju Pinnick, in honor of their contributions to entertainment and sports. Dignitaries such as Lagos State Commissioner for Information Gbenga Omotoso and NIDCOM Chair Abike Dabiri-Erewa were in attendance, adding gravitas to the glittering affair.
Tems won “Best Recording of the Year” for “Burning,” while Flavour’s “Big Baller” was crowned “Afrobeats Single of the Year.” The “Song of the Year” went to Asake for the chart-topping anthem “Lonely At The Top.”
One of the night’s most moving wins came with Chike and Mohbad’s “Egwu,” which scooped both Best Collaboration and the Headies Viewer’s Choice Award, proving the track’s emotional and sonic resonance with fans.
London emerged as Producer of the Year for his masterful work on “Ozeba,” a track that not only highlighted his signature sonic style but also raised the bar for Afrobeat production. Meanwhile, Liya delivered a powerful and emotionally rich performance on “I’m Done,” earning her the Best Vocal Performance (Female) award and cementing her place among the genre’s top vocalists.
Veteran rapper Erigga clinched Best Rap Album for “Family Time,” a hard-hitting body of work praised for its raw narratives and vivid portrayal of everyday life in the Niger Delta.
Davido was named Digital Artist of the Year, a nod to his commanding presence across streaming platforms and his consistent ability to engage a global fanbase online.
In the inspirational category, gospel sensation Mercy Chinwo took home Best Inspirational Single for “You Do This One,” a powerful anthem that resonated deeply with audiences and reaffirmed her status as a leading voice in gospel music.
Finally, Director Pink captured the Best Music Video award for the visually arresting “Egwu,” a project that combined emotion, storytelling, and style to leave a lasting cultural imprint.
In regional categories, Juma Jux (Tanzania), Himra (Ivory Coast), Soolking (Algeria), and Titom (South Africa) were recognized as the top artists in their respective regions, showcasing the diversity and depth of African music.
The Soundtrack of the Year went to “A Tribe Called Judah” by TCJ and Abbey Wonder, highlighting the growing synergy between Nollywood and the music industry.
Here is the full list of winners:
Best Recording of the Year
- Tems – ‘Burning’ – WINNER
- Seyi Vibez – ‘Different Pattern’
- Burna Boy – ‘Higher’
- Ayra Star and Giveon – ‘Last Heartbreak Song’
- Sarz and Lojay – ‘Billions’
Best Collaboration
- ‘Emotions’ – Tiwa Savage ft Asa
- ‘Blood on the dance floor’ – Odumodu Blvck, Bloody Civilian and Wale
- ‘Cast’ – Shallipopi ft Odumodu Blvck
- ‘Egwu’ – Chike ft Mohbad – WINNER
- ‘Ole’ – Qing Madi ft Bnxn
- ‘Twe Twe remix’ – Kizz Daniel ft Davido
- ‘IDK’ – Wizkid ft Zlatan
Best Street-hop Artiste
- Seyi Vibez – ‘Different Patterns’
- Ayo Maff – ‘Dealer’ ft (Fire Boy)
- Shallipopi – ‘Cast’ ft (Odumodu Blvck)
- Zhus Jdo – ‘Johnbull’
- Mohbad – ‘Ask About Me’ – WINNER
Afrobeats Single of the Year
- ‘Big Big Things’ – Young John ft Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez
- ‘Twe Twe remix’ – Kizz Daniel ft Davido
- ‘Egwu’ – Chike ft Mohbad
- ‘Remember’ – Asake
- ‘Ogechi remix’ – Hyce, Boypee and Brown Joel ft Davido
- ‘Big Baller’ – Flavour – WINNER
Producer of the Year
- Sarz – ‘Happiness’
- London – ‘Ozeba’ – WINNER
- Magicsticks – ‘Basquiat’
- Rema/Producer X/Cubeats/Deatz/Klimperboy – ‘Hehehe’
- Dibs – ‘Different Pattern’
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
- Ayra Star – ‘Last Heartbreak Song’
- Niniola – ‘Level’
- Simi – ‘Stranger’
- Liya – ‘I’m Done’ – WINNER
- Yemi Alade – ‘Tomorrow’
Best Rap Single
- ‘Cast’ – Odumodu Blvck and Shallipopi – WINNER
- ‘Blood on the dance floor’ – Bloody Civilian, Wale and Odumodu Blvck
- ‘Hallelujah’ – Ladipoe, Rozzz, and Morello
- ‘Canada’ – Magnito
- ‘Ije Nwoke’ – Jeriq
Rookie of the year
- Zerry DL – WINNER
- Taves
- Kaestyles
- Llona
Best R&B single
- Qing Madi – ‘Vision’
- Jonny Drille – ‘For You’
- Simi – ‘Stranger’
- Tems – ‘Burning’
- Ayra Star – ‘Last Heartbreak Song’ ft Giveon
Songwriter of the Year
- Simisola Kosoko – ‘Stranger’ (Simi)
- Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma – ‘Vision’ (Qing Madi) – WINNER
- Michael Ajuma Attah – ‘Can’t Breathe’ (Llona)
- Emoseh Khamofu – ‘Family Meeting’ (Bloody Civilian)
- Fuayefika Maxwell – ‘Stages of Life’ (Wizard Chan)
Music Video of the Year
- ‘Charm’ – Rema, Oerlinks and Folarin Oludare
- ‘Metaverse’ – Jyde Ajala
- ‘Like Ice Spice’ – Perlinks and Emeka Shine Shine
- ‘Ojapiano’ – Mattmax
- ‘Egwu’ – Director Pink – WINNER
- ‘Showa’ – TG Omori
- ‘Na Money’ – Dammy Twitch
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 FT. Lawrence Oyor
- ‘Good God 2’ – Limoblaze FT. Naomi Raine
- ‘Particularly’ – Gaise Baba FT. Tope Alabi
- ‘You Do This One’ – Mercy Chinwo – WINNER
Best West African Artiste of the Year
- Black Sherif (GHANA)
- King Promise (GHANA)
- Himra (IVORY COAST) – WINNER
- Josey (IVORY COAST)
- Toofan (TOGO)
Best East African Artiste of the Year
- Bien (KENYA)
- Diamond Platnumz (TANZANIA)
- Juma Jux (TANZANIA) – WINNER
- Bruce Melodie (RWANDA)
- Azawi (UGANDA)
Best North African Artiste of the Year
- Mohamed Ramadan (EGYPT)
- Elgrande Toto (MOROCCO)
- Soolking (ALGERIA) – WINNER
- Balti (TUNISIA)
- Abu (EYGPT)
Best Rap Album
- ‘Sideh Kai’ – Illbliss
- ‘Eziokwu’ – Odumodublvck
- ‘Alaye Toh Se Gogo VOL. 1’ – Reminisce
- ‘Family Time’ – Erigga – WINNER
- ‘Shiny Object Syndrome’ – Modenine
- ‘Full Time Job’ – Phyno
Best Southern African Artiste of the Year
- Titom (SOUTH AFRICA) – WINNER
- Yuppe (SOUTH AFRICA)
- Tyla (SOUTH AFRICA)
- Kelly Kay (MALAWI)
- Plutonio (MOZAMBIQUE)
- Zee Nxumalo (SOUTH AFRICA)
Next Rated
• Qing Madi
• Shallipopi
• Odumodublvck – WINNER
• Ayo Maff
• Nasboi
Song Of The Year
• ‘Showa’ – Kizz Daniel
• ‘Commas’ – Ayra Starr
• ‘Egwu’ – Chike AND Mohbad
• ‘Lonely At The Top’ – Asake – WINNER
• ‘Ozeba’ – Rema
• ‘Big Baller’ – Flavour
Best Performer (LIVE)
• Rema
• Omah Lay
• Flavour
• Wizard Chan
• Burna Boy – WINNER
• Femi Kuti & The Positive Force
Digital Artiste of the Year
• Ayra Starr
• Rema
• Shallipopi
• Tems
• Davido — WINNER
• Kizz Daniel
• Asake
Album Of The Year
• ‘Born In The Wild’ – Tems
• ‘HeIs’ – Rema – WINNER
• ‘The Year I Turned 21’ – Ayra Starr
• ‘Stubborn’ – Victony
• ‘Work Of Art’ – Asake
Soundtrack of the Year
- ‘Eledumare’ – Teledalase (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)
- ‘Lose to Gain’– Kaline (Breathe of Life)
- ‘Kill Boro’ – Native Filmworks and Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)
- ‘Orisa’ – Beriola (Orisa)
- ‘Emotions’ – Tiwa Savage and Asa (Water and Garri)
- ‘Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack’ – TCJ and Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack) — WINNER
Headies Viewer’s Choice
‘Dealer’ – Ayo Maff (ft. Fireboy DML)
‘Egwu’ – Chike & Mohbad — WINNER
‘Big Baller’ – Flavour
‘Big Big Things’ – Young Jonn (ft. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
‘Ogechi Remix’ – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (ft. Davido)
‘Showa’ – Kizz Daniel
‘Different Pattern’ – Seyi Vibez
‘OZEBA’ – Rema
‘Love Me Jeje’ – Tems
‘Cast’ – Shallipopi (ft. Odumodublvck)
