The Headies, Nigeria’s top music awards, announced the nominees for its 17th edition on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. This year, the event returns to Nigeria after being held in the U.S. for the past two years.
The nominations feature a mix of local and international artists who made notable contributions to the music scene between April 1, 2023, and July 30, 2024. Up-and-coming artists like Taves, Zerrydl, Kaestyle, and Llona are vying for the Rookie of the Year award.
Odumodu Blvck, whose real name is Tochukwu Ojogwu, leads the nominations with five nods, followed by Ayra Starr (Oyinkansola Aderibigbe) and Shallipopi (Crown Uzama) with three each. Odumodu Blvck is also in the running for Best Collaboration with two songs alongside artists like Chike, Wizkid, Zlatan, Asa, and Tiwa Savage.
The late Mohbad (Ilerioluwa Aloba) earned three nominations posthumously, despite his tragic passing on September 12, 2023.
The categories released via the Headies’ official X account include Producer of the Year, Best Recording of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Best R&B Single, Rookie of the Year, Best Rap Single, Best Female Vocal Performance, Music Video of the Year, and Best Collaboration.
Full list:
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
Showa – TG Omori
Na Money – Dammy Twitch
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
Ayra Star – Last Heartbreak Song
Niniola – Level
Simi – Stranger
Liya – I’m Done
Yemi Alade – Tomorrow
Best Rap Single
Cast – Odumodu Blvck and Shallipopi
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
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)
Michael Ajuma Attah – Can’t Breathe (Llona)
Emoseh Khamofu – Family Meeting (Bloody Civilian)
Fuayefika Maxwell – Stages of Life (Wizard Chan)
Producer of the year
Sarz – Happiness
London – Ozeba
Magicsticks – Basquiat
Rema/Producer X/Cubeats/Deatz/Klimperboy – Hehehe
Dibs – Different Pattern
Best Recording of the year
Tems – Burning
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
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
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
