The 17th Headies Awards, held on Sunday in Lagos, Nigeria, celebrated outstanding achievements across the Nigerian and African music scene.

Among the early winners, Zerry DL claimed the Rookie of the Year award, while Davido was named Digital Artist of the Year. Rema took home Afrobeats Album of the Year for his project HEIS, and Tems won Best Recording of the Year for her song Burning.

 

The ceremony also honoured distinguished personalities with Special Recognition Awards, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Alex Okosi, and Amaju Pinnick.

 

In a highlight moment, Odumodublvck was crowned the Next Rated Artist, beating fellow nominees Shallipopi, Qing Madi, and Ayo Maff.

 

The Headies Awards is a premier music award platform that celebrates outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.

 

This year’s event is one of two editions, with the 18th edition scheduled to take place in December to make up for the absence of the awards in 2024.

 

Here is the full list of winners at the 17th Headies Awards:

 

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 (Breathe 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

 

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

 

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)

 

Best Central African Artiste of the Year

 

Innoss’B (DRC) – Winner

 

Gaz Mawete (DRC)

 

Emma’A (Gabon)

 

Ebokolo (Gabon)

 

Singulila (Central African Republic)

 

Koceé (Cameroon)

 

Next Rated

 

Odumodublvck – Winner

 

Qing Madi

 

Shallipopi

 

Ayo Maff

 

Digital Artiste of the Year

 

Davido- Winner

 

Ayra Starr

 

Rema

 

Shallipopi

 

Tems

 

Kizz Daniel

 

Asake

 

Best Rap Single

 

Cast – Shallipopi and Odumodublvck – Winner

 

Blood on the dance floor – Bloody Civilian, Wale and Odumodu Blvck

 

Hallelujah – Ladipoe, Rozzz, and Morello

 

Canada – Magnito

 

Ije Nwoke – Jeriq

 

Best East African Artiste of the Year

 

Juma Jux (Tanzania) – Winner

 

Bien (Kenya)

 

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

 

Bruce Melody (Rwanda)

 

Azawi (Uganda)

 

Best Street-hop artiste

 

Mohbad – Ask About me – Winner

 

Zhus Jdo – Johnbull

 

Seyi Vibez – Different Patterns

 

Ayo Maff – Dealer ft (Fire Boy)

 

Shallipopi – Cast ft (Odumodu Blvck

 

Song of the Year

 

Lonely at the Top – Asake – Winner

 

Egwu – Chike and Mohbad

 

Ozeba – Rema

 

Showa – Kizz Daniel

 

Commas – Ayra Starr

 

Special Recognition

 

KCee