On Wednesday, February 12, the organizers of ‘The Headies’ released the 2024 edition nominees starting with the much-awaited Rookie of the Year category. Llona, Zerry DL, Taves, and Kaestyle make up the list of nominees for this year—all new acts that have created waves in the industry from April 2023 to July 2024. The Rookie of the Year category at The Headies celebrates rising artists who have made a major impact without releasing an album in the year under review.
Llona, whose crossover success was with the ‘HBP Remix‘ featuring Bella Shmurda, is among the nominees. His Afro-pop genre, which is a blend of accessible lyrics that reflect the struggles and dreams of the modern youth, has won over many. The Kaduna-born artist broke through in 2024, with his track Cold War, which features Fave, from his latest album Homeless. Prior to this, Llona released singles like “Comforter” and “HBP,” solidifying his presence in the industry and showcasing his growth as an artist.
Zerry DL, often referred to as Shallipopi’s brother, has successfully stepped out from his sibling’s shadow to carve out his own identity in the music world. Renowned for his “Say Wara Wara” slogan, Zerry DL’s collaboration with Shallipopi on the track ‘Wet On Me‘ and singles to his name helped propel his career to new heights. Zerry DL has collaborated with other Nigerian music acts such as Ayo Maff, Bayani, Seyi Vibez.
Taves, who initially gained attention with a cover of BNXN’s ‘4 Days‘, had a breakout year in 2024 with his tracks Bodija and Folake, with Folake being one of the standout tracks that further boosted his profile. Taves made a significant impact in the music industry in 2024, showcasing his versatility and unique sound. In July, Taves unveiled his highly anticipated EP ‘Are You Listening?’, which merged Afropop, R&B, and soulful folk, offering a more personal and introspective side of his artistry.
Kaestyle, whose hit song Dealer with Omah Lay is a top hit, and the song has a remix version with Kizz Daniel. Kaestyle has made strides in the music industry, showcasing his versatility and unique sound. In June 2024, he released Another Style, an EP featuring five tracks that further solidified his presence in the Afrobeat scene. The EP includes collaborations with artists like M3LON and American R&B singer, 6LACK.
This Rookie of the Year category is set to be an exciting battle, with all the nominees vying for the number one position and the chance to succeed 2023 winner Odumodu Blvck.
