17th Headies Awards winners spotlight Nigeria’s music excellence as stars like Asake, Tems, and Mohbad dominate the 2025 comeback edition in Lagos
After failing to hold in 2024, the 17th Headies Awards made a return in A2 of 2025 and witnessed the rise in the creativity of Nigeria’s music industry with some impressive and eye-catching videos that promote cultural values.
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This year’s award event was hosted by Nancy Isime at the Landmark Events Centre in Lagos and had attendees like Davido, ODUMODUBLVCK, Ayo Maff, Liquorose, Annie Idibia, Priscilla, Juma, Seyi Sodimu, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and many more.
Aside late commencement and a few significant technic issues, the award show was packed with energy, merging exciting performances with poignant homage to the artists that defined the soundtrack of the previous year.
Here are the 17th Headies Awards winners:
Rookie of the Year
Zerry DL emerged as the Rookie of the Year winner, beating nominees Taves, Kaestyle, and Llona.
Best Recording of the Year
Tems won the Best Recording of the Year award with her song Burning. Competing nominees included Seyi Vibez (Different Pattern), Burna Boy (Higher), Ayra Starr and Giveon (Last Heartbreak Song), and Sarz and Lojay (Billions).
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
Lojay won Best Vocal Performance (Male) for his work on Billions. Nominees included Omah Lay (Moving), Anendlessocean (Gratitude), Johnny Drille (For You), and Timi Dakolo (Ke Na Ke So).
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
Liya took home the award for Best Vocal Performance (Female) with I’m Done. The category featured Ayra Starr (Last Heartbreak Song), Niniola (Level), Simi (Stranger), and Yemi Alade (Tomorrow).
Next Rated
Odumodublvck emerged as the winner of the Headies Next Rated category, beating nominees Qing Madi, Shallipopi, Ayo Maff, and Nasboi.
Songwriter of the Year
Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi) won Songwriter of the Year for Vision. Nominees included Simi (Stranger), Llona (Can’t Breathe), Bloody Civilian (Family Meeting), and Wizard Chan (Stages of Life).
Producer of the Year
London earned Producer of the Year for OZEBA, triumphing over contenders like Sarz (Happiness), Magicsticks (Basquiat), Rema and Team (HEHEHE), and Dibs (Different Pattern).
Afrobeats Album of the Year
Rema’s HEIS was crowned the Afrobeats Album of the Year, edging out Victony, Asake, Ayra Starr, and Young Jonn.
Best Rap Single
Shallipopi claimed the award for Best Rap Single with Cast, emerging from a tough pool of nominees, including Odumodublvck (Blood on the Dance Floor), Ladipoe (Hallelujah), Magnito (Canada), and Jeriq (Ije Nwoke).
This moment is one for dreamers, creatives, and artists who dare to build, sacrifice, and persevere.
Music Video of the Year
Director Pink’s Egwu won Music Video of the Year. Other contenders included Dir. Perliks & Folarin Oludare for Charm, Jyde Ajala’s Metaverse, Perliks & Emeka Shine Shine’s Like Ice Spice, Mattmax’s Ojapiano, TG Omori’s Showa, and Dammy Twitch’s Na Money.
Best Street-Hop Artiste
Mohbad triumphed in the Best Street-Hop Artiste category with Ask About Me. Nominees included Seyi Vibez (Different Pattern), Ayo Maff & Fireboy DML (Dealer), Shallipopi & Odumodublvck (Cast), and Zhus Jdo (Johnbull).
Afrobeats Single of the Year
Flavour’s Big Baller won Afrobeats Single of the Year, beating tracks like Young Jonn’s Big Big Things (feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez), Kizz Daniel’s Twe Twe Remix, Chike & Mohbad’s Egwu, Asake’s Remember, and Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel’s Ogechi Remix (feat. Davido).
Viewers’ Choice Award
Chike and Mohbad’s Egwu took home the Viewers’ Choice Award. Other nominees included Rema (OZEBA), Seyi Vibez (Different Pattern), Kizz Daniel (Showa), Tems (Love Me Jeje), Shallipopi & Odumodublvck (Cast), Flavour & Fireboy (Dealer), Flavour (Big Baller), and Young Jonn (Big Big Things feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez).
Digital Artiste of the Year
Davido was crowned Digital Artiste of the Year, with nominees including Ayra Starr, Rema, Shallipopi, Tems, Kizz Daniel, and Asake.
Song of the Year
Asake’s Lonely at the Top won Song of the Year. The category featured tracks like Kizz Daniel’s Showa, Ayra Starr’s Commas, Chike & Mohbad’s Egwu, Rema’s Ozeba, and Flavour’s Big Baller
Soundtrack of the Year
The A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack by TCJ and Abbey Wonder claimed the award for Soundtrack of the Year. Other nominees included Eledumare by Teledalase (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre), Lose to Gain by Kaline (Breathe of Life), Kill Boro by Native Filmworks and Wizard Chan, Orisa by Beriola, Emotions by Tiwa Savage and Asa (Water and Garri).
Best Inspirational Single
Mercy Chinwo’s You Do This One won the award for the Best Inspirational Single.
Best East African Artiste
Juma Jux (Tanzania) emerged as the Best East African Artiste, competing against Bien (Kenya), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Bruce Melodie (Rwanda), and Azawi (Uganda).
Best Central African Artiste
Innoss’B (DR Congo) won Best Central African Artiste, surpassing nominees Gaz Mawete (DR Congo), Emma’A (Gabon), Eboloko (Gabon), Singuila (Central African Republic), and Kocee (Cameroon).
Special Recognition Awards
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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, media executive Alex Okosi, sports administrator Amaju Pinnick, and KCee were honored with Special Recognition Awards.
