The much-anticipated nominees for the 17th Headies Awards (Back to Base) were officially unveiled yesterday, with the view of honouring the best of Nigerian music over the year in review.
With a mix of seasoned stars and exciting new faces, the nominees have impressed judges and fans alike with their innovative sounds and artistic vision. Among the nominees, Ayra Starr, Rema, and Tems lead the nominations with six each while Asake was nominated in 5 different categories
The awards, which celebrate excellence in various musical categories, considered various music materials—including singles, videos, live recordings, EPs, albums released on digital streaming platforms, and physical media (cassettes, CDs, and vinyl).
The eligibility period spanned from April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024.
Below is the full list of nominees for the 17th Headies Awards:
Only music materials including singles, videos, video live recordings, EPs, and albums released and distributed on digital streaming platforms, and physical music media (cassettes, CDs, and vinyl) within the year in review (April 1, 2023 – July 31, 2024) were considered for nomination.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the rookie of the year who has had a successful year musically with the absence of an album in the year under review.
- ZERRY DL
- TAVES
- KAESTYLE
- LLONA
BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR
A non-voting category for the best recording (that meets the judges’ requirements of excellence; songwriting, production, rendition) by an artiste or group in the year under review.
- TEMS – BURNING
- DIFFERENT PATTERN – SEYI VIBEZ*
- HIGHER – BURNA BOY
- LAST HEARTBREAK SONG – AYRA STARR & GIVEON
- BILLIONS – SARZ FEATURING LOJAY
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
A non-voting category for the writer of a song (that meets the judges’ requirements of excellence, composition, arrangement, rendition) in the year under review.
- 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)
BEST R&B SINGLE
A category for the best R&B single in the year under review (by a single individual or group).
- QING MADI – VISION
- JOHNNY DRILLE – FOR YOU
- SIMI – STRANGER
- TEMS – BURNING
- AYRA STARR – LAST HEARTBREAK SONG FT. GIVEON
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
An individual or collection of people responsible for producing the most acclaimed song or album in the year under review.
- SARZ – HAPPINESS
- LONDON – OZEBA
- MAGICSTICK – BASQUIAT
- REMA/PRODUCER X/CUBEATZ/DEATZ/KILMBERBOY – HEHEHE
- DIBS – DIFFERENT PATTERN
BEST RAP SINGLE
A voting category for a single (released on-air and streaming platforms) recording of a rap song.
- CAST FEAT ODUMODUBLVCK – SHALLIPOPPI
- BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR FEAT BLOODY CIVILIAN & WALE – ODUMODUBLVCK
- HALLELUJAH – LADIPOE, ROZZZ & MORRELO
- CANADA – MAGNITO
- IJE NWOKE – JERIQ
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)
A non-voting category for the single female artiste with the most outstanding vocal performances on a single or album.
- AYRA STARR – LAST HEARTBREAK SONG
- NINIOLA – LEVEL
- SIMI – STRANGER
- LIYA – I’M DONE
- TOMORROW – YEMI ALADE
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (MALE)
A non-voting category for the single male artiste with the most outstanding vocal performance on a single song or album.
- LOJAY – BILLIONS
- OMAH LAY – MOVING
- ANENDLESSOCEAN – GRATITUDE
- JOHNNY DRILLE – FOR YOU
- TIMI DAKOLO – KE NA KE SO
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the best conceptualist, best directed and most exciting video in the year under review. This award goes to the video director.
- 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 FT. CAVEMEN, ANGELIQUE KIDJO (DAMMY TWITCH)
BEST COLLABORATION
A voting category for the best R&B, pop, hip-hop or Afrobeats collaborative track (including cameos).
- EMOTIONS – TIWA SAVAGE FEAT. ASA
- BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR ODUMODUBLVCK, BLOODY CIVILIAN, AND WALE CAST – SHALLIPOPPI FT ODUMODUBLVCK
- EGWU – CHIKE AND MOHBAD
- OLE – QING MADI AND BNXN
- TWE TWE REMIX – KIZZ DANIEL AND DAVIDO
- IDK – WIZKID FT. ZLATAN
BEST STREET-HOP ARTISTE
A voting category for the artiste whose songs are inspired by the streets. Such song should captain lingua, which may also be originated by the artiste and popular on the street.
- SEYI VIBEZ – “DIFFERENT PATTERNS”
- AYO MAFF – DEALER (FT. FIREBOY DL)
- SHALLIPOPPI – CAST (FT. ODUMODUBLVCK)
- ZHUS JDO – JOHNBULL
- MOHBAD – ASK ABOUT ME
AFROBEATS SINGLE OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the best Afrobeats single in the year under review (by a single individual or group).
- BIG BIG THINGS – YOUNG JONN FT. KIZZ DANIEL AND SEYI VIBEZ
- TWE TWE REMIX – KIZZ DANIEL
- EGWU FEAT. MOHBAD – CHIKE
- REMEMBER – ASAKE
- OGECHI REMIX – HYCE, BOYPEE, AND BROWN JOEL FT. DAVIDO
- BIG BALLER – FLAVOR
LYRICIST ON THE ROLL
A non-voting category for the rapper with the best lyrical depth and performance on a single song or album in the year under review.
- MOGADISHU – A-Q
- CHOCOLATE CITY CYPHER – M.I ABAGA
- CHOCOLATE CITY CYPHER – BLAQBONEZ
- HALLELUJAH – LADIPOE
- EFELEME – ALPHA OJINI
BEST INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE
A voting award category for the best inspirational single in the year under review (by an individual or group).
- 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
HEADIES’ VIEWERS’ CHOICE
A voting category to award the fans’ favorite artiste with the most digital tractions (downloads, views, streams) in the year under review.
- BIG BIG THINGS FT. KIZZ DANIEL AND SEYI VIBEZ – YOUNG JONN
- OGECHI REMIX FT. DAVIDO – HYCE, BOYPEE, AND BROWN JOEL
- EGWU – CHIKE & MOHBAD
- SHOWA – KIZZ DANIEL
- DIFFERENT PATTERN – SEYI VIBEZ
- OZEBA – REMA
- LOVE ME JEJE – TEMS
- CAST FT. ODUMODUBLVCK – SHALLIPOPPI
- DEALER FT. FIREBOY DML – AYO MAFF
- BIG BALLER – FLAVOUR
BEST WEST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
A voting award category for an individual African artiste or group (of Western African descent) with the most outstanding achievement and impact across Africa in the year under review.
- BLACK SHERIF (GHANA)
- KING PROMISE (GHANA)
- HIMRA (IVORY COAST)
- JOSEY (IVORY COAST)
- TOOFAN (TOGO)
BEST EAST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
A voting award category for an individual African artiste or group (of Eastern African descent) with the most outstanding achievement and impact across Africa in the year under review.
- BIEN (KENYA)
- DIAMOND PLATNUMZ (TANZANIA)
- JUMA JUX (TANZANIA)
- BRUCE MELODIE (RWANDA)
- AZAWI (UGANDA)
BEST NORTH AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
A voting award category for an individual African artiste or group (of Northern African descent) with the most outstanding achievement and impact across Africa in the year under review.
- MOHAMED RAMADAN (EGYPT)
- ELGRANDE TOTO (MOROCCO)
- SOOLKING (ALGERIA)
- BALTI (TUNISIA)
- ABU (EGYPT)
BEST SOUTHERN AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
A voting award category for an individual African artiste or group (of Southern African descent) with the most outstanding achievement and impact across Africa in the year under review.
- TITOM (SOUTH AFRICA)
- YUPPE (SOUTH AFRICA)
- TYLA (SOUTH AFRICA)
- KELLY KAY (MALAWI)
- PLUTONIO (MOZAMBIQUE)
- ZEE NXUMALO (SOUTH AFRICA)
BEST CENTRAL AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
A voting award category for an individual African artiste or group (of Central African descent) with the most outstanding achievement and impact across Africa in the year under review.
- INNOSS’B (DRC)
- GAZ MAWETE (DRC)
- EMMA’A (GABON)
- EBOLOKO (GABON)
- SINGUILA. (CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC)
- KOCEE (CAMEROUN)
INTERNATIONAL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
A voting award category for a non-African artiste or group with the most outstanding achievement and impact on Afrobeats.
- WALE – BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR (ODUMODUBLVCK)
- SKEPTA – TONY MONTANA (FT. PORTABLE)
- CHRIS BROWN – HMMM (FT. DAVIDO)
- TRAVIS SCOTT – ACTIVE (ASAKE)
- CHLOE BAILEY – VISION REMIX (QING MADI)
BEST RAP ALBUM
A non-voting category for the best album by a rap artiste or group in the year under review.
- SIDEH KAI – ILLBLISS
- EZIOKWU – ODUMODUBLVCK
- ALAYE TOH SE GOGO VOL. 1 – REMINISCE
- FAMILY TIME – ERIGGA
- SHINY OBJECT SYNDROME – MODENINE
- FULL TIME JOB – PHYNO
SOUNDTRACK OF THE YEAR
A non-voting category for a song written and composed originally for use in a motion picture or series.
- 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
A voting category for the most promising act (with a single, EP or Album) in the year under review.
- QING MADI
- SHALLIPOPPI
- ODUMODUBLVCK
- AYO MAFF
- NASBOI
AFROBEATS ALBUM OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the best Afrobeats album in the year under review (by a single individual or group).
- STUBBORN – VICTONY
- WORK OF ART – ASAKE
- THE YEAR I TURN 21 – AYRA STARR
- HEIS – REMA
- JIGGY FOREVER – YOUNG JONN
BEST PERFORMER (LIVE)
A non-voting category for the artiste with the most outstanding live performance in front of an audience (recorded and officially released in video format).
- 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)
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
A special recognition to an individual(s) for excellence and outstanding impact to the entertainment industry.
- KINGSLEY CHINWEIKE OKONKWO a.k.a KCEE
DIGITAL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
A voting award category for an individual Nigerian artiste or group with the most outstanding digital achievement and impact in the year under review.
- AYRA STARR
- REMA
- SHALLIPOPPI
- TEMS
- DAVIDO
- KIZZ DANIEL
- ASAKE
SONG OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the most popular song in the year under review.
- SHOWA – KIZZ DANIEL
- COMMAS – AYRA STARR
- EGWU – CHIKE AND MOHBAD
- LONELY AT THE TOP – ASAKE
- OZEBA – REMA
- BIG BALLER – FLAVOUR
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the best album (solo or group) in the year under review that meets the judges’ requirements of excellence (songwriting, production, rendition, and impact).
- BORN IN THE WILD – TEMS
- HEIS – REMA
- THE YEAR I TURNED 21 – AYRA STARR
- STUBBORN – VICTONY
- WORK OF ART – ASAKE
ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the most critically and commercially adjudged artiste in the year under review.
BURNA BOY
DAVIDO
AYRA STARR
ASAKE
REMA
TEMS
