After a year’s break, Nigeria’s biggest music award show, The Headies, is set to make a grand return for its 17th edition on April 5, 2025.
The event, which was postponed in 2024, will return to Lagos, Nigeria, following backlash over previous editions being held in the United States.
This year’s nominations highlight the dominance of Odumodu Blvck, who leads with five nominations, while the late Mohbad received three posthumous nods, nearly two years after his tragic passing. Ayra Starr and Shallipopi also secured three nominations each.
With a lineup featuring both homegrown and international talents, The Headies 2025 promises to be a night of recognition and celebration for the best in Nigerian and African music. Below is the full list of nominations:
Full List of Nominations for The Headies 2025
Best Recording of the Year
- Tems – Burning
- Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
- Burna Boy – Higher
- Ayra Starr & Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
- Sarz feat. Lojay – Billions
ALSO READ
Producer of the Year
- Sarz – Happiness
- London – Ozeba
- Magicsticks – Basquiat
- Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Klimperboy – Hehehe
- Dibs – Different Pattern
Songwriter of the Year
- Simisola Kosoko – Stranger (Simi)
- Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma – Vision (Qing Madi)
- Michael Ajuma Attah – Can’t Breathe (Llona)
- Emoseh Khamofu – Family Meeting (Bloody Civilian)
- Fuayefika Maxwell – Stages of Life (Wizard Chan)
Best R&B Single
- Qing Madi – Vision
- Johnny Drille – For You
- Simi – Stranger
- Tems – Burning
- Ayra Starr feat. Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
Rookie of the Year
- Llona
- Kaestyle
- Taves
- Zerrydl
Best Rap Single
- Cast – Odumodu Blvck feat. Shallipopi
- Blood on the Dance Floor – Odumodu Blvck feat. Bloody Civilian & Wale
- Hallelujah – Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morrelo
- Canada – Magnito
- Ije Nwoke – Jeriq
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
- Charm – (Rema x Perlík x Folarin Oludare)
- Metaverse – (Jyde Ajala)
- Like Ice Spice – (Perlíks & Emeka Shine Shine)
- Ojapiano – (MattMax)
- Egwu – (Director Pink)
- Showa – (TG Omori)
- Na Money – (Dammy Twitch)
Best Collaboration
- Emotions – Tiwa Savage feat. Asa
- Blood on the Dance Floor – Odumodu Blvck, Bloody Civilian & Wale
- Cast – Shallipopi feat. Odumodu Blvck
- Egwu – Chike & Mohbad
- Ole – Qing Madi & BNXN
- Twe Twe Remix – Kizz Daniel & Davido
- IDK – Wizkid feat. Zlatan
Best Street-Hop Artiste
- Seyi Vibez – Different Patterns
- Ayo Maff – Dealer (feat. Fireboy DML)
- Shallipopi – Cast (feat. Odumodu Blvck)
- Zhus Jdo – Johnbull
- Mohbad – Ask About Me
Afrobeats Single of the Year
- Big Big Things – Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez
- Twe Twe Remix – Kizz Daniel
- Egwu – Chike feat. Mohbad
- Remember – Asake
- Ogechi Remix – Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido
- Big Baller – Flavour
Lyricist on the Roll
- Mogadishu – A-Q
- Chocolate City Cypher – M.I Abaga
- Chocolate City Cypher – Blaqbonez
- Hallelujah – Ladipoe
- Efeleme – Alpha Ojini
Best Inspirational Single
- Gratitude – Anendlessocean
- Worthy of My Praise – Dunsin Oyekan feat. Lawrence Oyor
- Good God 2 – Limoblaze feat. Naomi Raine
- Particularly – Gaise Baba feat. Tope Alabi
- You Do This One – Mercy Chinwo
Viewers’ Choice Awards
- Big Big Things – Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez
- Ogechi Remix – Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido
- Egwu – Chike & Mohbad
- Ozeba – Rema
- Different Pattern – Seyi Vibez
- Showa – Kizz Daniel
- Love Me Jeje – Tems
- Cast – Shallipopi feat. Odumodu Blvck
- Dealer – Flavour feat. Fireboy
- Big Baller – Flavour
Regional Awards: Best African Artistes
Best West African Artiste of the Year
- Black Sherif (Ghana)
- King Promise (Ghana)
- Himra (Ivory Coast)
- Josey (Ivory Coast)
- Toofan (Togo)
Best East African Artiste of the Year
- Bien (Kenya)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Juma Jux (Tanzania)
- Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
- Azawi (Uganda)
Best North African Artiste of the Year
- Mohamed Ramadan (Egypt)
- ElGrande Toto (Morocco)
- Soolking (Algeria)
- Balti (Tunisia)
- Abu (Egypt)
Best Southern African Artiste of the Year
- Titom (South Africa)
- Yuppe (South Africa)
- Tyla (South Africa)
- Kelly Kay (Malawi)
- Plutonio (Mozambique)
- Zee Nxumalo (South Africa)
With The Headies back in Lagos, fans eagerly await who will take home the biggest awards on the night of April 5, 2025.
