After two years abroad, Nigeria’s biggest music awards show, the Headies, made a triumphant return to Lagos on Sunday for its 17th edition, celebrating the finest in African music across 31 categories.
This marked the first of two ceremonies planned for 2025, with the 18th Headies scheduled for December, bridging the gap left by the awards’ absence in 2024.
Pop and Afrobeats stars lit up the night:
- Rema won Afrobeats Album of the Year for HEIS.
- Tems claimed Best Recording of the Year with her soulful hit Burning.
- Davido was crowned Digital Artiste of the Year, reinforcing his dominance in the digital space.
- Rising star Zerry DL, brother of Shallipopi, took home Rookie of the Year, a milestone in his young career.
In one of the night’s most anticipated categories, Odumodublvck emerged as Next Rated Artist, ahead of strong contenders like Shallipopi, Qing Madi, and Ayo Maff.
The evening, themed “Back to Base” and “Apologetically African,” drew key figures from music, entertainment, and politics. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu received a Special Recognition Award for his contributions to the creative industry, alongside honorees Alex Okosi and Amaju Pinnick.
The ceremony also introduced two new categories: Soundtrack of the Year and Best Performer (Live).
Filmmaker Funke Akindele’s record-breaking movie A Tribe Called Judah won the first-ever Soundtrack of the Year award.
High-profile guests included Tanzanian star Juma Jux and wife Priscilla, actress Nancy Isime, Big Brother Naija’s White Money, and Mavin Records boss Don Jazzy.
Covering music released between April 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024, the 17th Headies proved a powerful celebration of African excellence, setting high expectations for the next edition later this year.
Major Winners:
- Rookie of the Year: Zerry DL
- Best Recording of the Year: Tems – Burning
- Best Vocal Performance (Male): Lojay – Billions
- Best Vocal Performance (Female): Liya – I’m Done
- Next Rated: Odumodublvck
- Song of the Year: Asake – Lonely at the Top
- Afrobeats Single of the Year: Flavour – Big Baller
- Afrobeats Album of the Year: Rema – HEIS
- Producer of the Year: London – OZEBA
- Music Video of the Year: Director Pink – EGWU
- Soundtrack of the Year: TCJ and Abbey Wonder – A Tribe Called Judah
- Headies’ Viewers’ Choice: Chike & Mohbad – Egwu
- Digital Artiste of the Year: Davido
Special Recognition Awards:
- Babajide Sanwo-Olu
- Alex Okosi
- Amaju Pinnick
- KCee
Humanitarian Awards:
- Temitola Adekunle Johnson
- Michelle Mukoro (King Mitchy)