The Headies (formerly referred to as Hip Hop World Awards) debuted in 2006 and has become one of the most anticipated annual Nigerian entertainment events.
Today, the Awards ceremony is the most significant award ceremony in the country. Within the space of ten years, it has cemented itself as the authentic awards brand and has continued to deliver an annual awards ceremony that has never failed to dazzle, inspire, excite and entertain.
Conceived to reward artists with genuine artistic talent in the developing music industry, The Headies debuted on March 10, 2006, at the MUSON Centre Onikan, Lagos.
Since the Award’s inception in 2006, The Headies plaque (The Headie) has become synonymous with artistic ingenuity and excellence, and winning the plaque has also become a career-defining moment for many Nigerian artists.
‘Headie’ is the name given to the Hip Hop World Awards gold plaque.
The Headie plaque depicts the image and the shout of a young, vibrant individual whose talent can challenge that of renowned local and international artists combined, but who has almost lost confidence in his abilities in the face of discouraging circumstances presented by the peculiar Nigerian environment.
Leading the nominations this year is Wizkid with 10 nominations; followed by a tie between first-time nominee, Ayra Starr and returning 2021 ‘Next Rated’ nominee, Tems, with eight nominations. DMW’s Davido follows with seven nominations, alongside former YBNL signee, Adekunle Gold. YBNL Record Label Boss and Pop singer, Olamide, his prodigy Fireboy, and Brymo follow with six nominations. Ladipoe, Lojay, and BNXN all bag five nominations. Closely followed by Vector, Sarz, A-Q, and Blaqbonez who all have four nominations each.
This year, with the Award expanding outside the shores of its home country Nigeria to one of the world’s biggest music capital, Atlanta, USA, it has also expanded its scope of nominations to include more African regions and artists. This has increased the number of Award categories from 26 to 35 categories with 118 nominees in total and 27 of these nominees coming from other parts of Africa like Benin Republic, Tanzania, Rwanda, DR Congo, Cameroon, Carpe Verde, Kenya, Egypt, Tunisia, Morrocco, Algeria, South Africa, Mali, Mozambique, Sao Tome & Principe, and Ghana.
With the year in review spanning fifteen months from October 2020 to December 2021, a few categories have gotten more nominations than usual. Topping the list with the highest nominations for a category is “The Headies Viewer’s Choice Awards” with eight nominees.
Every year, The Headies welcomes new entrants, and making debut appearances this year include Liya, Ibejii, Fave, Pink, Ayra Starr, Nektunez, Goya Menor, Ugoccie, Portable, Poco Lee, Made Kuti, Blaise Beats, Beats By Jayy, Rexxie, Lojay, Ruger, AV, Basketmouth, Ajebo Hustlers, T.I. Blaze, Magixx, Gyakie, Amaarae, Angélique Kidjo, Black Coffee, and many other African talents.
Joining the “Headies Hall of Fame” this year is one of Africa’s biggest music exports and the daughter of Benin Republic, Angélique Kidjo. She will be the first female recipient of this recognition Award and the first since the award left its home country, Nigeria. Angelina Kidjoe will be joining the likes of King Sunny Ade, Evang. Ebenezer Obey; Chris Ubosi; 2Face Idibia; Sir. Victor Uwaifo; DJ Jimmy Jatt, Keke Ogungbe, and Dayo D1’ Adeneye, Eddie Lawani & Ben Bruce; Obi Asika & Olisa Adibua; Phillip Trimnell; Femi Akinyemi Johnson & Grand Master Lee; Shina Peters; Femi Kuti; Kwam 1; and Laolu Akintobi.
For more information on The Headies, visit www.theheadies.com or follow @The_Headies on all social media platforms.
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.
AV
FAVE
MAGIXX
PORTABLE
UGOCCIE
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.
“CELEBRATE ME” – PATORANKING
“ESSENCE” – WIZKID FEAT. TEMS
“JOY” – FALANA
“LOVING IS HARDER” – JOHNNY DRILLE
“MEJI MEJI” – BRYMO
“SOMEBODY’S SON” – TIWA SAVAGE FEAT. BRANDY
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
An individual responsible for producing the most acclaimed song or album in the year under review.
BEATS BY JAYY – “GOLDEN” (A-Q)
BLAISE BEATZ – “SINNER” (ADEKUNLE GOLD FEAT. LUCKY DAYE)
NIPHKEYS – “FEEL GOOD” (MOHBAD)
P PRIIME – “OZUMBA MBADIWE” (REEKADO BANKS)
PHEELZ – “HIGH” (ADEKUNLE GOLD FEAT. DAVIDO)
SARZ – “MONALISA” (LOJAY & SARZ)
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.
ADEKUNLE GOLD – “SINNER”
AJEBO HUSTLERS – “LOYALTY”
BRYMO – “MEJI MEJI”
FALANA – “JOY”
FIREBOY DML – “PERU”
OMAH LAY – “UNDERSTAND”
BEST R&B SINGLE
A category for the best r&b single in the year under review (by a single individual or group).
“BABY RIDDIM” – FAVE
“BEGGIE BEGGIE” – AYRA STARR FEAT. CKAY
“ESSENCE” – WIZKID FEAT. TEMS
“RUNNING (TO YOU)” – CHIKE FEAT. SIMI
“PROMISE” – NINIOLA
“SINNER” – ADEKUNLE GOLD FEAT. LUCK DAYE
BEST RAP SINGLE
A voting category for a single (released on-air) recording of a rap song.
“BREATHE” – A-Q FEAT CHIKE
“CROWN OF CLAY” – VECTOR & MI ABAGA FEAT. PHEELZ
“EARLY MOMO” – VECTOR FEAT. GOODGIRL LA
“FEELING” – LADIPOE FEAT. BNXN
“TYCOON” – SHOW DEM CAMP FEAT. REMINISCE & MOJO
“LOADING” – OLAMIDE FEAT BAD BOY TIMZ
BEST ‘ALTERNATIVE’ SONG
A voting category for the artiste whose songs reflect any form or style of music which falls outside the mainstream of recent or past popular musical trends.
“DOINGS” – FLAVOUR
“FREE YOUR MIND” – MADE KUTI
“GONTO” – IBEJII
“HUSTLE” – BASKETMOUTH, THE CAVEMEN, BEZ, DICE AILES
“MEJI MEJI” – BRYMO
“SELENSE” – THE CAVEMEN
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE ( FEMALE )
A non-voting category for the single female artiste with most outstanding vocal performances on a single song or album.
AYRA STARR – “TOXIC”
LIYA – “ALARI”
NINIOLA – “6TH HEAVEN”
SIMI – “RUNNING (TO YOU)”
TEMS – “ESSENCE”
WAJE – “LAST TIME”
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.
BRYMO – “MEJI MEJI”
JOHNNY DRILLE – “LOVING IS HARDER”
OXLADE – “OJUJU”
RIC HASSANI – “WHEN I’M GONE”
TAY IWAR – “PEAKING”
LYRICIST ON THE ROLL
A non-voting category for the rap artiste with the best lyrical depth and performance on a single song or album.
A-Q – “THE LAST CYPHER”
BLAQBONEZ – “THE LAST CYPHER”
JESSE JAGZ – “VIPERS”
LADIPOE – “PROVIDENCE”
PAYPER CORLEONE – “IN DON WE TRUST”
VECTOR – “CROWN OF CLAY”
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
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.
“CHAMPION” – (FIREBOY DML FEAT. D SMOKE) DIRECTED BY TG OMORI
“GINGER” – (WIZKID FEAT. BURNA BOY) DIRECTED BY MEJI ALABI
“ROJU” – (CHIKE) DIRECTED BY PINK
“RAIN” – (YEMI ALADE FEAT. MZANSI YOUTH CHOIR) DIRECTED BY OVIE ETSEYATSE
“BLING” – (BLAQBONEZ FEAT. AMAARAE & BNXN) DIRECTED BY TG OMORI
“RUNNING” – (LADIPOE FEAT. FIREBOY DML) DIRECTED BY DIRECTOR K
BEST COLLABORATION
A voting category for the best r&b, pop or hip-hop collaborative track (including cameos).
“BEGGIE BEGGIE” – AYRA STARR FEAT. CKAY
“BLING” – BLAQBONEZ FEAT. AMAARAE & BNXN
“EARLY MOMO” – VECTOR FEAT. GOODGIRL LA
“ESSENCE” – WIZKID FEAT. TEMS
“FEELING” – LADIPOE FEAT. BNXN
“RUNNING (TO YOU)” – CHIKE FEAT. SIMI
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.
BELLA SHMURDA – “CASH APP” FEAT. ZLATAN & LINCOlN
REXXIE & MOHBAD – “KPK”
MOHBAD – “FEEL GOOD”
NAIRA MARLEY – “KOLEYEWON”
NEKTUNEZ & GOYA MENOR – “AMENO AMAPIANO (REMIX)”
POCO LEE, PORTABLE & OLAMIDE – “ZAZOO ZEHH”
BEST AFROBEATS SINGLE OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the best Afrobeats single in year under review (by single individual or group).
“BLOODY SAMARITAN” – AYRA STARR
“BOUNCE” – RUGER
“HIGH” – ADEKUNLE GOLD FEAT. DAVIDO
“MONALISA” – LOJAY & SARZ
“OZUMBA MBADIWE” – REEKADO BANKS
“PERU” – FIREBOY DML
HEADIES’ VIEWER’S CHOICE
A voting category to award the fan’s favorite artiste with the most digital tractions (downloads, views, streams) in the year under review.
AYRA STARR – “BLOODY SAMARITAN”
FIREBOY – “PERU”
JOEBOY – “SIP”
LOJAY & SARZ – “MONALISA”
NEKTUNEZ & GOYA MENOR – “AMENO AMAPIANO (REMIX)”
OLAMIDE FEAT. OMAH LAY – “INFINITY”
REMA – SOUNDGASM
WIZKID FEAT. TEMS – “ESSENCE”
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.
AMAARAE (GHANA)
ANGELIQUE KIDJO (BENIN)
AYA NAKAMURA (MALI)
GYAKIE (GHANA)
KIDI (GHANA)
NELSON FREITAS (CAPE VERDE)
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.
DIAMOND PLATINUMZ (TANZANIA)
EDDY KENZO (UGANDA)
HARMONIZE (TANZANIA)
MEDDY (RWANDA)
NIKITA KERING (KENYA)
ZUCHU (TANZANIA)
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.
EMEL MATHLOUTHI (TUNISIA)
ELGRANDETOTO (MOROCCO)
LATIFA (TUNISIA)
MANAL (MOROCCO)
MUHAMAD RAMADAN (EGYPT)
SOOLKING (ALGERIA)
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.
BLACK COFFEE (SOUTH AFRICA)
DJ TARICO (MOZAMBIQUE)
ELAINE (SOUTH AFRICA)
FOCALISTIC (SOUTH AFRICA)
JAH PRAYZAH (ZIMBABWE)
SHA SHA (ZIMBABWE)
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.
CALEMA (SAO TOME & PRINCIPE)
BLANCHE BAILLY (CAMEROON)
DADJU (DR CONGO)
FALLY IPUPA (DR CONGO)
INNOSS’B (DR CONGO)
SORAIA RAMOS (CAPE VERDE)
BEST AFROBEATS ALBUM
A category for the best Afrobeats album in the year under review (by a single individual or group).
“19 AND DANGEROUS” – AYRA STARR
“A BETTER TIME” – DAVIDO
“BARNABAS” – KIZZ DANIEL
“MADE IN LAGOS (DELUXE EDITION)” – WIZKID
“KPOS LIFESTYLE” – AJEBO HUSTLERS
“WONDALAND” – TENI
BEST REGGAE & DANCEHALL ALBUM
A voting category for the best Reggae & Dancehall album (solo or group) in year under review.
GRATITUDE – TIMAYA
LOVE IS WAR – PRETTYBOY D-O
RAINBOW RIDDIM – SHANK
THREE – PATORANKING
YAADMAN KINGSIZE – YUNG L
BEST R&B ALBUM
A category for the best r&b album in the year under review (by single individual or group).
“BEFORE WE FALL ASLEEP” – JOHNNY DRILLE
“IF ORANGE WAS A PLACE” – TEMS
“LOVE DEEP HIGH LIFE” – OMAWUMI
“RISING” – FALANA
“THE PRINCE I BECAME” – RIC HASSANI
“WATER AND GARRI” – TIWA SAVAGE
BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
A category for the best Alternative album in the year under review (by single individual or group).
“9: ESAN” – BRYMO
“INTERMISSION” – IBEJII
“LEGACY +” – FEMI KUTI & MADE KUTI
“LOVE AND HIGHLIFE” – THE CAVEMEN
“P.S. THANK YOU FOR WAITING” – WAVY THE CREATOR
“YABASI” – BASKETMOUTH
BEST RAP ALBUM
A non-voting category for the best album by a rap artiste or group in year under review.
“CARPE DIEM” – OLAMIDE
“CLONE WARS VOL. 5 – THE ALGORHYTHM” – SHOW DEM CAMP
“GOLDEN” – A-Q
“MAFIA CULTURE, VOL. 2.0” – IDOWEST
“PROVIDENCE” – LADIPOE
“SEX OVER LOVE” – BLAQBONEZ
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the best album (solo or group) in year under review, that meets judges’ requirements of excellence (songwriting, production, rendition and impact).
“9: ESAN” – BRYMO
“19 & DANGEROUS” – AYRA STARR
“CARPE DIEM” – OLAMIDE
“LEGACY +” – FEMI KUTI & MADE KUTI
“MADE IN LAGOS (DELUXE EDITION)” – WIZKID
“YABASI” – BASKETMOUTH
SONG OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the most popular song in the year under review.
“CELEBRATE ME” – PATORANKING
“DOINGS” – FLAVOUR FEAT. PHYNO
“ESSENCE” – WIZKID FEAT. TEMS
“HIGH” – ADEKUNLE GOLD FEAT. DAVIDO
“MONALISA” – LOJAY & SARZ
“PERU” – FIREBOY DML
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE
Overall most successful female artiste (with artistic quality and/or impact) in the year under review.
SIMI
TEMS
TIWA SAVAGE
TENI
NINIOLA
BEST MALE ARTISTE
Overall most successful male artiste (with artistic quality and/or impact) in the year under review.
ADEKUNLE GOLD
BURNA BOY
DAVIDO
FLAVOUR
OLAMIDE
WIZKID
NEXT RATED
This category is a voting category for the most promising act (with an EP or Album) in the year under review.
AYRA STARR
BNXN
LOJAY
RUGER
ZINOLEESKY
AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
A voting award category for an individual African artiste or group with the most outstanding achievement, impact and infiltration into the International music scene withiin the year under review.
BLACK COFFEE (SOUTH AFRICA)
BURNA BOY (NIGERIA)
DAVIDO (NIGERIA)
DIAMOND PLATINUMZ (TANZANIA)
SOOLKING (ALGERIA)
WIZKID (NIGERIA)
AYA NAKAMURA (MALI/FRANCE)
INTERNATIONAL ARTISTE RECOGNITION
A special recognition to an individual(s) for excellence and outstanding impact to the Nigerian entertainment industry within a specific period and/or the year under review.
WYCLEF JEAN
AKON
P DIDDY
SPECIAL RECOGNITION:
A special recognition to an individual(s) for excellence and outstanding impact to the entertainment industry within the year under review.
BOSE OGULU
SUNDAY ARE
EFE OMOROGBE
HALL OF FAME:
A special recognition to an individual of African Descent, for excellence and outstanding impact to the African entertainment industry, home and abroad.
ANGELIQUE KIDJO
HUMANITARIAN AWARD OF THE YEAR
A voting category to recognize and Award extraordinary individuals and/or groups who have positively impacted the lives of people, nature and society within the year in review.
2FACE IDIBIA
RUGGEDMAN
DAVIDO
DON JAZZY
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