The 17th edition of the prestigious Headies Awards returned with a bang at the Landmark Event Centre in Lekki, Lagos, after spending two years abroad. Tagged ‘Back to Base’, the ceremony unfolded on Sunday night, delivering an unforgettable evening full of celebration, emotion, and thrilling performances.
Actress and media personality Nancy Isime teamed up with veteran broadcaster IK Osakioduwa to host the event. Their lively energy and charisma kept the audience engaged from start to finish, creating a perfect atmosphere for honoring the best talents in African music.
A major emotional moment came when Kcee received a Special Recognition Award, celebrating his long-standing influence and contribution to the Nigerian music scene over the last 26 years. The audience erupted into cheers, reflecting the respect and admiration he has earned.
Tragedy also mixed with triumph when late singer Mohbad was posthumously awarded Best Street-Hop Artiste for his song “Ask About Me.” His wife and young son, Liam, received the award on his behalf, drawing a standing ovation from the emotional crowd. Mohbad also received nominations for Best Collaboration and Afrobeats Single of the Year with “Egwu,” solidifying his lasting impact on the industry.
A surprising incident unfolded when Odumodublvck, who won the highly anticipated Next Rated award, had his microphone turned off midway through his speech. He had stormed the stage with his mother and friends and refused to leave until the organisers restored his mic, allowing him to complete his moment.
SEE FULL LIST OF WINNERS BELOW :
Best Recording of the Year
- Tems – Burning — Winner
- Burna Boy – Higher
- Ayra Starr & Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
- Sarz feat. Lojay – Billions
Producer of the Year
- Sarz – Happiness
- London – Ozeba — Winner
- Magicsticks – Basquiat
- Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Klimperboy – Hehehe
- Dibs – Different Pattern
Next Rated
- Qing Madi
- Shallipopi
- Odumodublvck — Winner
- Ayo Maff
- Nasboi
Afrobeats Album of the Year
- Stubborn – Victony
- Work of Art – Asake
- The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
- Heis – Rema — Winner
- Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn
Songwriter of the Year
- Simi – Stranger
- Qing Madi – Vision -Winner
- Llona – Can’t Breathe
- Bloody Civilian – Family Meeting
- Wizard Chan – Stages of Life
Rookie of the Year
- Llona
- Kaestyle
- Taves
- Zerrydl— Winner
Best Rap Single
- Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast — Winner
- Odumodublvck feat. Bloody Civilian & Wale – Blood on the Dance Floor
- Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morrelo – Hallelujah
- Magnito – Canada
- Jeriq – Ije Nwoke
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
- Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song
- Niniola – Level
- Simi – Stranger
- Liya – I’m Done —Winner
- Yemi Alade – Tomorrow
Music Video of the Year
- Rema – Charm (Dir. Perliks & Folarin Oludare)
- Jyde Ajala – Metaverse
- Perliks & Emeka Shine Shine – Like Ice Spice
- Mattmax – Ojapiano
- Director Pink – Egwu — Winner
- TG Omori – Showa
- Dammy Twitch – Na Money
Best Street-Hop Artiste
- Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
- Ayo Maff feat. Fireboy DML – Dealer
- Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast
- Zhus Jdo – Johnbull
- Mohbad – Ask About Me — Winner
Afrobeats Single of the Year
- Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – Big Big Things
- Kizz Daniel – Twe Twe Remix
- Chike feat. Mohbad – Egwu
- Asake – Remember
- Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido – Ogechi Remix
- Flavour – Big Baller — Winner
Viewers’ Choice Award
- Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – Big Big Things
- Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido – Ogechi Remix
- Chike & Mohbad – Egwu — Winner
- Rema – Ozeba
- Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
- Kizz Daniel – Showa
- Tems – Love Me Jeje
- Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast
- Flavour feat. Fireboy – Dealer
- Flavour – Big Baller
Digital Artiste of the Year
- Ayra Starr
- Rema
- Shallipopi
- Tems
- Davido — Winner
- Kizz Daniel
- Asake
Song of the Year
- Showa – Kizz Daniel
- Commas – Ayra Starr
- Egwu – Chike and Mohbad
- Lonely at the Top – Asake — Winner
- Ozeba – Rema
- Big Baller – Flavour
Best Vocal Performance Male
- Lojay — Billions — Winner
Best Movie Soundtrack
- A Tribe Called Judah — Winner
Special Recognition Awards
- Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor
- Alex Okosi
- Amaju Pinnick
- Kcee
- Humanitarian awards
- Temitola Adekunle Johnson
- Mitchell Mukoro
Best East African Artiste
- Bien (Kenya)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Juma Jux (Tanzania) -Winner
- Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
- Azawi (Uganda)
Best Central African Artiste
- Innoss’B (DRC) — Winner
- Gaz Mawete (DRC)
- Emma’A (Gabon)
- Eboloko (Gabon)
- Singuila (Central African Republic)
- Kocee (Cameroon)
