The 17th edition of the Headies Awards concluded late Sunday night at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, a jubilant return to Nigerian soil after a two-year stint in Atlanta, USA. Under the theme “Back to Base,” the music award ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements within Nigeria’s thriving music industry.

Davido was named Artist of the Year and Rema’s HEIS won Best Afrobeats Album. ODUMODUBLVCK took Next Rated, and Tems’ “Burning” received Best Recording of the Year.

Qing Madi was recognized as the Songwriter of the Year for “Vision,” while London received the Producer of the Year award for “OZEBA.” The Rookie of the Year award went to Zerry DL, marking a bright start to his career.

The night also featured performances from Qing Madi, Tanzania’s Juma Jux, Blaqbonez, the energetic ODUMODUBLVCK, and Ayo Maff.

The 17th edition is one of two Headies Awards scheduled for 2025, with the 18th edition expected in December, both taking place in Lagos. This double celebration aims to compensate for the absence of the awards in 2024 due to unforeseen logistical challenges.

See the full winners below.

Afrobeats Album of the Year

HEIS – Rema (Winner)
Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn

Music Video of the Year

“EGWU” – Director Pink (Winner)
“Charm” – Rema, Perliks and Folarin Oludare
“Metaverse” – Jyde Ajala
“Like Ice Spice” – Perliks and Emeka Shine Shine
“Ojapiano” – Mattmax
“Showa” – TG Omori
“Na Money” – Dammy Twitch

Afrobeats Single of the Year

“Big Baller” – Flavour (Winner)

“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)

Headies’ Viewers’ Choice

“Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad (Winner)
“Big Baller” – Flavour

“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (ft. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (ft. Davido)
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel
“Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez
“OZEBA” – Rema
“Love Me Jeje” – Tems
“Cast” – Shallipopi (ft. Odumodublvck)
“Dealer” – Ayo Maff (ft. Fireboy DML)

Rookie of the Year

Zerry DL (Winner)

taves
Kaestyle
Llona

Soundtrack of the Year

“Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack” – TCJ and Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack) (Winner)

“Eledumare” – Teledalase (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)
“Lose to Gain” – Kaline (Breath of Life)
“Kill Boro” – Native Filmworks and Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)
“Orisa” – Beriola (Orisa)
“Emotions” – Tiwa Savage and Asa (Water and Garri)

Best Recording of the Year

“Burning” – Tems (Winner)

“Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez
“Higher” – Burna Boy
“Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr and Giveon
“Billions” – Sarz and Lojay

Best Vocal Performance (Male)

“Billions” – Lojay (Winner)

“Moving” – Omah Lay
“Gratitude” – Anendlessocean
“For You” – Johnny Drille
“Ke Na Ke So” – Timi Dakolo

Best Vocal Performance (Female)

“I’m Done” – Liya (Winner)

“Last Song Heartbreak” – Ayra Starr
“Level” – Niniola
“Stranger” – Simi
“Tomorrow” – Yemi Alade

Special Recognition Award Recipients

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos
Alex Okosi
Amaju Pinnick

Humanitarian Award Recipients

Temitola Adekunle Johnson
Michelle Mukoro (King Mitchy)

Songwriter of the Year

“Vision” – Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi) (Winner)

“Stranger” – Simisola Kosoko (Simi)
“Can’t Breathe” – Michael Ajuma Attah (Llona)
“Family Meeting” – Emoseh Khamofu (Bloody Civilian)
“Stages of Life” – Fuayefika Maxwell (Wizard Chan)

Producer of the Year

“OZEBA” – London (Winner)

“Happiness” – Sarz
“Basquiat” – Magicsticks
“HEHEHE” – Rema, Producer X, Cubeatz, Deatz and Klimperboy
“Different Patterns” – Dibs

Song of the Year

“Showa” – Kizz Daniel
“Commas” – Ayra Starr
“Egwu” – Chike and Mohbad
“Lonely at the Top” – Asake (Winner)
“Ozeba” – Rema
“Big Baller” – Flavour

Digital Artiste of the Year

Ayra Starr
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Davido (Winner)
Kizz Daniel
Asake

Best Street-Hop Artiste

Seyi Vibez – “Different Pattern”
Ayo Maff feat. Fireboy DML – “Dealer”
Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – “Cast”
Zhus Jdo – “Johnbull”
Mohbad – “Ask About Me” (Winner)

Best East African Artiste

Bien (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Juma Jux (Tanzania) (Winner)
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
Azawi (Uganda)

Best Central African Artiste

Innoss’B (DRC) (Winner)
Gaz Mawete (DRC)
Emma’A (Gabon)
Eboloko (Gabon)
Singuila (Central African Republic)
Kocee (Cameroon)

The award body omitted 10 categories this year: Best Rap Album, Best Collaboration, Best Southern African Artiste, Best Performer (Live), Best R&B Single, Best North African Artiste, Best Inspirational Single, International Artiste of the Year, Best West African Artiste, and Lyricist on the Roll.