WALE, SKEPTA, CHRIS BROWN, TRAVIS SCOTT, AND CHLOE BAILEY ANNOUNCED AS “INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR” NOMINEES OF THE 17TH ANNUAL HEADIES AWARDS
THE ANNUAL EVENT RETURNS TO LAGOS, NIGERIA
FEATURING AN UNPRECEDENTED WEEKLONG LINE-UP OF EXCITING EVENTS
CULMINATING IN A CELEBRATION OF THE INDUSTRY’S GROWTH AND ARTISTIC INGENUITY
THE PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS CEREMONY TAKES PLACE ON APRIL 5, 2025
The Headies Awards, originally called the Hip Hop World Awards, is a music awards show established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World Magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry. The annual ceremony features performances by established and promising artists.
The Headies Awards, the most coveted pan-African music award event, has announced that the 17th Annual awards show will take place on April 5, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria. Chart-topping artists Wale, Skepta, Chris Brown, Travis Scott, and Chloe Bailey have been nominated in the “International Artist of the Year” category and are among a stellar list of artists who will be recognized during this global event. This will mark the illustrious award show’s return to Africa after holding its last two awards shows on American soil in Atlanta, GA. This year’s event will feature an unprecedented lineup of events, culminating in a week-long celebration of the industry’s growth and artistic ingenuity. The Headies Awards will be live-streamed on YouTube (U.S.) and Hip TV (Nigeria).
The Headies Awards has rewarded, recognized, and celebrated the greatest in Afrobeats, African music, and culture, featuring sounds from South, East, Central, North, and West Africa. Each year, the highly anticipated event features the world’s most influential and impactful artists from Africa to the United States.
Inspired by the need to fill a significant void and be the voice of a generation in the culture that it represents, The Headies understands the urban contemporary pop culture that Afrobeats brings to mainstream music. The event boasts a mega-platform that interfaces with young, talented artists who represent the future of global music.
“We are so excited about this year’s Headies Awards. Our stellar lineup features dynamic artists from around the globe who have impacted their audience and the industry,” said Ayo Animashaun, Executive Producer and Founder of The Headies. “We are also thankful for our partners who have helped to bring this to life.”
In addition, to mark its return to Africa (Nigeria), The Headies Awards introduces The Headies Festival with a series of activities showcasing the best of Afrobeats and Hip Hop music, entertainment, and culture. The 17th Headies event schedule will commence on March 29th, 2025, featuring events such as The Headies Stakeholder Brunch, Official Nominees Party, U.S. Consulate Reception, Afrobeats Conference and will climax with its Official Headies Awards ceremony on April 5th.
17TH HEADIES NOMINEES’ LIST
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 and 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 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 – SHALLIPOPI 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)
SHALLIPOPI – 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 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 – SHALLIPOPI
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) – JANUARY 9TH
KING PROMISE (GHANA) – TERMINATOR
HIMRA (IVORY COAST) – COULIBALY & DIABATÉ
JOSEY (IVORY COAST) – VENEZ BOUGER
TOOFAN (TOGO) – TONE
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) – WAHALA
DIAMOND PLATNUMZ (TANZANIA) – MAPOZ
JUMA JUX (TANZANIA) – ENJOY
BRUCE MELODIE (RWANDA) – WHEN SHE’S AROUND
AZAWI (UGANDA) – MASAVU
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) – ARABI
ELGRANDE TOTO (MOROCCO) – MAGHRIBI
SOOLKING (ALGERIA) – TIKI TAKA
BALTI (TUNISIA) – DIMA MECHI
ABU (EYGPT) – HOLLELA
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) -TSHWALA BAM
YUPPE (SOUTH AFRICA) – TSHWALA BAM
TYLA (SOUTH AFRICA) – WATER
KELLY KAY (MALAWI) – BANA PWANYA
PLUTONIO (MOZAMBIQUE) – ACORDAR
ZEE NXUMALO (SOUTH AFRICA) – THULA MABOTA
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) – SETE
GAZ MAWETE (DRC) – DENDISA
EMMA’A (GABON) – BISO MIBALE
EBOLOKO (GABON) – SATANANA
SINGUILA. (CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC) – SIN SAISON
KOCEE (CAMEROUN) – CREDIT ALERT
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
SOUNDTRACK OF THE YEAR
This is 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
This category is a voting category for the most promising act (with a single, EP or Album) in the year under review.
QING MADI
SHALLIPOPI
ODUMODUBLVCK
AYO MAFF
NASBOI
AFROBEATS ALBUM OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the best Afrobeats single in the year under review (by 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 artist with the most outstanding live performance in front of an audience by singing, or playing a musical instrument. The live performance must have been recorded and officially released in video format – streaming, TV and physical media.
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 achievement and impact digitally in the year under review.
AYRA STARR
REMA
SHALLIPOPI
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 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
This category is a voting category for the most critically and commercially adjudged artiste in the year under review
DAVIDO
AYRA STARR
ASAKE
REMA
TEMS
BURNA BOY
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