17th Headies Awards: The Complete List of Nominees
The Headies Awards are back, and with them comes the ultimate celebration of Nigerian music, talent, and entertainment, after a two-year stint in the U.S.
According to executive producer Ayo Animashaun, two award ceremonies will be held in 2025: the 17th edition, which was postponed last year, will take place on April 5, while the 18th edition is scheduled for December.
As the industry continues to evolve, the 2025 nominations reflect a dynamic mix of established stars and rising talents ready to leave their mark.
From chart-topping hits to genre-defying collaborations, this year’s nominations span a variety of categories, giving fans and industry insiders plenty to talk about.
Whether you’re rooting for your favourite artist or curious about who made the cut, here’s your complete list of the 17th Headies Awards nominees.
From chart-topping hits to genre-defying collaborations, this year’s nominations span a variety of categories, giving fans and industry insiders plenty to talk about.
Whether you’re rooting for your favourite artist or curious about who made the cut, here’s your complete list of the 17th Headies Awards nominees.
Rookie of the Year
Zerry DL
taves
Kaestyle
Llona
Next Rated
Qing Madi
Shallipopi
OdumoduBlvck
Ayo Maff
Nasboi
Artiste of the Year
Davido
Ayra Starr
Asake
Rema
Tems
Burna Boy
Best Recording of the Year
“Burning” – Tems
“Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez
“Higher” – Burna Boy
“Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr and Giveon
“Billions” – Sarz and Lojay
Producer of the Year
“Happiness” – Sarz
“OZEBA” – London
“Basquiat” – Magicsticks
“HEHEHE” – Rema, Producer X, Cubeatz, Deatz and Klimperboy
“Different Patterns” – Dibs
Song of the Year
“Commas” – Ayra Starr
“Big Baller” – Flavour
“Lonely At The Top” – Asake
“OZEBA” – Rema
“EGWU” – Chike (ft. Mohbad)
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel
Songwriter of the Year
“Stranger” – Simisola Kosoko (Simi)
“Vision” – Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi)
“Can’t Breathe” – Michael Ajuma Attah (Llona)
“Family Meeting” – Emoseh Khamofu (Bloody Civilian)
“Stages of Life” – Fuayefika Maxwell (Wizard Chan)
Best R&B Single
“Vision” – Qing Madi
“For You” – Johnny Drille
“Stranger” – Simi
“Burning” – Tems
“Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr (ft. Giveon)
Best Rap Single
“Cast” – Shallipopi (ft. OdumoduBlvck)
“Blood On the Dance Floor” – OdumoduBlvck (ft. Bloody Civilian and Wale)
“Hallelujah” – Ladipoe (ft. Rozzz and Morello)
“Canada” – Magnito
“Ije Nwoke” – Jeriq
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
“Last Song Heartbreak” – Ayra Starr
“Level” – Niniola
“Stranger” – Simi
“I’m Done” – Liya
“Tomorrow” – Yemi Alade
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
“Billions” – Lojay
“Moving” – Omah Lay
“Gratitude” – Anendlessocean
“For You” – Johnny Drille
“Ke Na Ke So” – Timi Dakolo
Music Video of the Year
“Charm” – Rema, Perliks and Folarin Oludare
“Metaverse” – Jyde Ajala
“Like Ice Spice” – Perliks and Emeka Shine Shine
“Ojapiano” – Mattmax
“EGWU” – Director Pink
“Showa” – TG Omori
“Na Money” – Dammy Twitch
Best Collaboration
“Emotions” – Tiwa Savage (ft. Asa)
“Blood On the Dance Floor” – OdumoduBlvck (ft. Bloody Civilian and Wale)
“Cast” – Shallipopi (ft. OdumoduBlvck)
“Egwu” – Chike (ft. Mohbad)
“Ole” – Qing Madi (ft. BNXN)
“Twe Twe (Remix)” – Kizz Daniel (ft. Davido)
“IDK” – Wizkid (ft. Zlatan)
Best Street-Hop Artiste
“Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez
“Dealer” – Ayo Maff (ft. Fireboy DML)
“Cast” – Shallipopi (ft. Odumodublvck)
“Johnbull” – Zhus Jdo
“Ask About Me” – Mohbad
Afrobeats Single of the Year
“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (ft. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
“Twe Twe Remix” – Kizz Daniel
“Egwu” – Chike (ft. Mohbad)
“Remember” – Asake
“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (ft. Davido)
“Big Baller” – Flavour
Afrobeats Album of the Year
Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
The Year I turned 21 – Ayra Starr
HEIS – Rema
Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn
Best Digital Artiste of the Year
Ayra Starr
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Davido
Kizz Daniel
Asake
Lyricist on the Roll
“Efeleme” – Alpha Ojini
“Mogadishu” – A-Q
“Chocolate City Cypher” – M.I Abaga
“Chocolate City Cypher” – Blaqbonez
“Hallelujah” – Ladipoe
Best Rap Album
Sideh Kai – iLLBliss
Eziokwu – OdumoduBlvck
Alaye Toh Se Gogo Vol. 1 – Reminisce
Family Time – Erigga
Shine Object Syndrome – Modenine
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
Album of the Year
Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
The Year I turned 21 – Ayra Starr
HEIS – Rema
Born In the Wild – Tems
Headies’ Viewers’ Choice
“Big Baller” – Flavour
“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (ft. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (ft. Davido)
“Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel
“Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez
“OZEBA” – Rema
“Love Me Jeje” – Tems
“Cast” – Shallipopi (ft. Odumodublvck)
“Dealer” – Ayo Maff (ft. Fireboy DML)
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)
Best West African Artiste of the Year
Black Sherif (Ghana)
King Promise (Ghana)
Himra (Ivory Coast)
Josey (Ivory Coast)
Toofan (Togo)
Best East African Artiste of the Year
Bien (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Juma Jux (Tanzania)
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
Azawi (Uganda)
Best North African Artiste of the Year
Mohamed Ramadan (Egypt)
Elgrande Toto (Morocco)
Soolking (Algeria)
Balti (Tunisia)
Abu (Egypt)
Best South African Artiste of the Year
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
Innoss’B (DRC)
Gaz Mawete (DRC)
Emma’A (Gabon)
Singuila (Central African Republic)
Kocee (Cameroon)
International Artiste of the Year
Wale – “Blood On The dance Floor” (OdumoduBlvck)
Skepta – “Tony Montana” (ft. Portable)
Chris Brown – “Hmm” (ft. Davido)
Travis Scott – “Active” (Asake)
Chloe Bailey – “Vision (Remix)” (Qing Madi)
