The Headies Awards, Nigeria’s premier music award ceremony, has announced the nominees for its 17th edition, scheduled for April 5, 2025. Leading the nominations is ODUMODUBLVCK with five nods, while Ayra Starr and Shallipopi follow closely with three nominations each.
The Headies’ founder, Ayo Animashaun, emphasized that returning the event to Lagos highlights the significance of honoring talent at the epicenter of Africa’s largest music industry. This move is set to strengthen local involvement, spotlight emerging artists, and solidify Nigeria’s position as the global hub of Afrobeats. With anticipation growing for the April edition, the announcement of the nominations has ignited vibrant conversations across social media.
The late Mohbad was also honored with three posthumous nominations. The “Rookie of the Year” category highlights emerging talents such as Zerry DL, Taves, Kaestyle, and Llona, while seasoned stars like Tiwa Savage, Rema, and Tems shine in categories like “Best Collaboration” and “Best R&B Single.”
See the full list of 2025 Headies Awards Nominees below:
Best North African Artist of the Year
Mohamed Ramadan
Elgrande Toto
Soolking
Balti
ABU
Best East African Artiste of the Year
Bien
Diamond Platnumz
Juma Jux
Bruce Melodie
Azawi
Best West African Artiste of the Year
Black Sherif
King Promise
Himra
Josey
Toofan
Viewers’ Choice
Young Jonn, Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez — Big Big Things
Hyce, Boypee, Brown Joel & Davido — Ogechi remix
Chike & Mohbad — Egwu
Kizz Daniel — Showa
Seyi Vibez — Different Pattern
Rema — OZEBA
Tems — Love me Jeje
Shallipopi & Odumodublvck — Cast
Ayo Maff & Fireboy DML — Dealer
Flavour — Big Baller
Best Inspirational Single
Anendlessocean — Gratitude
Dunsin Oyekan & Lawrence Oyor — Worthy of My Praise
Limoblaze & Naomi Raine — Good God
2Gaise Baba & Tope Alabi — Particularly
Mercy Chinwo — You Do This One
Rookie of the Year
Zerrydl
Taves
Kaestyle
Llona
Best Recording Of The Year
Tems — Burning
Seyi Vibez — Different Pattern
Burna Boy — Higher
Ayra Starr & Giveon — Last Heartbreak Song
Sarz & Lojay — Billions
Producer of the Year
Sarz — Happiness
London — OZEBA
Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Klimperboy — HEHEHE
Magicsticks — Basquiat
Dibs — Different Pattern
Best R&B Single
Qing Madi — Vision
Johnny Drille — For You
Ayra Starr & Giveon — Last Heartbreak Song
Tems — Burning
Simi — Stranger
Songwriter of the Year
Simi — Stranger
Qing Madi — Vision
Llona — Can’t Breathe
Bloody Civilian — Family Meeting
Wizard Chan — Stages of Life
Best Rap Single
Shallipopi & Odumodublvck — Cast
Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian & Wale — Blood on the Dance Floor
Ladipoe Ft Rozzz & Morrell — Hallelujah
Magnito — Canada
JERIQ — Ije Nwoke
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
Ayra Starr — Last Heartbreak Song
Niniola — Level
Simi — Stranger
Liya — I’m Done
Yemi Alade — Tomorrow
Music Video Of the Year
Rema — Charm
Olamide — Metaverse
Blaqbonez — Like Ice Spice
Kcee — Ojapiano
Chike & Mohbad — Egwu
Kizz Daniel — Showa
Davido, The Cavemen & Angelique Kidjo — Na Money
Best Street Hop Artiste
Seyi Vibez — Different Patterns
Ayo Maff & Fireboy DML — Dealer
Shallipopi & Odumodublvck — Cast
Zhus JDO — Johnbull
Mohbad — Ask About Me
Best Collaboration
Tiwa Savage & Asa — Emotions
Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian & Wale — Blood on the Dance Floor
Shallipopi & Odumodublvck — Cast
Chike & Mohbad — Egwu
Qing Madi & Bnxn — Ole
Kizz Daniel & Davido — Twe Twe remix Wizkid & Zlatan — IDK
Lyricist on the Roll
A-Q — Mogadishu
M.I Abaga — Chocolate City Cypher
Blaqbonez — Chocolate City Cypher
Ladipoe — Hallelujah
Alpha Ojini — Efeleme
Afrobeats Single of the Year
Young Jonn, Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez — Big Big Things
Kizz Daniel & Davido — Twe Twe Remix Chike & Mohbad — Egwu
Asake — Remember
Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel Ft Davido — Ogechi remix
Flavour — Big Baller
