The 17th edition of the prestigious Headies Awards returned to Lagos on Sunday, April 27, 2025, after two years of hosting in Atlanta, United States.
Held at the Landmark Event Centre, the ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements in African music during the eligibility period from April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024.
Themed “Back to Base” and “Apologetically African,” the event was a masterful display of the depth and diversity of African music talent.
The night featured 31 competitive categories, including Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Recording of the Year, alongside special awards.
Among the major highlights, Odumodublvck clinched the coveted Next Rated Artist award, beating strong contenders like Shallipopi, Qing Madi, and Ayo Maff. Zerry DL, brother of breakout star Shallipopi, was crowned Rookie of the Year, marking a significant milestone in his rising career.
Rema won Afrobeats Album of the Year for his project HEIS, while Tems took home Best Recording of the Year for her soulful track Burning. Davido reaffirmed his dominance in the digital music space by winning Digital Artiste of the Year.
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 clinched the inaugural Soundtrack of the Year award.
Star-Studded Event
The Headies Awards drew key figures from entertainment and politics, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was honored with a prestigious Special Recognition Award for his contributions to the music and creative industries.
Other notable attendees included Tanzanian singer Juma Jux, actress Nancy Isime, Bamike Olawunmi-Adenibuyan (BamBam), Cubana Chief Priest, and Big Brother Naija 2021 winner White Money.
Notwithstanding all the pomp and pageantry, the event had obvious time management lapses and technical glitches, which led to an abrupt end before winners in some major categories were announced.
Certainly, Godson! Here’s an elegant list of the major awardees from the 17th Headies Awards:
Major Awardees at the 17th Headies Awards
- Next Rated Artist: Odumodublvck
- Rookie of the Year: Zerry DL
- Best Recording of the Year: Burning by Tems
- Best Vocal Performance (Male): Billions by Lojay
- Best Vocal Performance (Female): I’m Done by Liya
- Song of the Year: Lonely at the Top by Asake
- Afrobeats Album of the Year: HEIS by Rema
- Afrobeats Single of the Year: Big Baller by Flavour
- Producer of the Year: London for OZEBA
- Music Video of the Year: EGWU directed by Director Pink
- Soundtrack of the Year: A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack by TCJ and Abbey Wonder
- Digital Artiste of the Year: Davido
- Special Recognition Awards:
- Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Governor of Lagos State)
- Alex Okosi
- Amaju Pinnick
- Humanitarian Awards:
- Temitola Adekunle Johnson
- Michelle Mukoro (King Mitchy)
- Best East African Artiste of the Year: Juma Jux (Tanzania)
- Best Central African Artiste of the Year: Innoss’B (Democratic Republic of Congo)
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