The 17th edition of the Headies Awards lit up Lagos on Sunday, April 27, 2025, honouring the best and brightest talents across the Nigerian and African music scene. With a vibrant return themed Back to Base, the night delivered unforgettable moments, big wins, and powerful performances, setting the tone for an exciting year ahead.
Among early winners, Zerry DL clinched Rookie of the Year, while global Afrobeats star Davido was crowned Digital Artist of the Year. Rema’s HEIS album secured the Afrobeats Album of the Year, while Tems’ soulful Burning earned her Best Recording of the Year.
Special Recognition Awards were presented to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, media executive Alex Okosi, and football administrator Amaju Pinnick, acknowledging their contributions beyond music.
A major highlight of the night was Odumodublvck’s win as Next Rated Artist, outshining fellow nominees Shallipopi, Qing Madi, and Ayo Maff.
The Headies, Africa’s premier music awards, will host its 18th edition in December 2025 to account for the missed 2024 ceremony.
Here’s 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
- KCee
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 (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
- “Twe Twe Remix” – Kizz Daniel
- “Egwu” – Chike (feat. Mohbad)
- “Remember” – Asake
- “Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
Headies’ Viewers’ Choice
- “Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad — Winner
- “Big Baller” – Flavour
- “Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
- “Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
- “Showa” – Kizz Daniel
- “Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez
- “OZEBA” – Rema
- “Love Me Jeje” – Tems
- “Cast” – Shallipopi (feat. Odumodublvck)
- “Dealer” – Ayo Maff (feat. 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 Odumodublvck
- “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
- “Ask About Me” – Mohbad — Winner
- “Johnbull” – Zhus Jdo
- “Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez
- “Dealer” – Ayo Maff (feat. Fireboy)
- “Cast” – Shallipopi (feat. Odumodublvck)
Song of the Year
- “Lonely at the Top” – Asake — Winner
- “Egwu” – Chike and Mohbad
- “OZEBA” – Rema
- “Showa” – Kizz Daniel
- “Commas” – Ayra Starr
Source: African Publicity