The 17th edition of The Headies Awards marked a significant return to Lagos, Nigeria, after a two-year stint in the United States. Held at the Landmark Event Centre, the ceremony honoured outstanding talents in the African music scene.
Selected Categories with Nominees and Winners
Best Recording of the Year
- Tems – Burning (Winner)
- Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
- Burna Boy – Higher
- Ayra Starr & Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
- Sarz ft. Lojay – Billions
Songwriter of the Year
- Simisola Kosoko – Stranger (Simi)
- Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma – Vision (Qing Madi) (Winner)
- Chris Brown – Hmmm (ft. Davido)
- Travis Scott – Active (Asake)
- Chloe Bailey – Vision Remix (Qing Madi)
Best Rap Album
- Illbliss – Sideh Kai
- Odumodublvck – Eziokwu (Winner)
- Reminisce – Alaye Toh Se Gogo Vol. 1
- Erigga – Family Time
- Modenine – Shiny Object Syndrome
Best R&B Single
- Qing Madi – Vision
- Johnny Drille – For You
- Simi – Stranger
- Tems – Burning
- Ayra Starr & Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song (Winner)
Best Rap Single
- Odumodublvck feat. Shallipopi – Cast (Winner)
- Odumodublvck feat. Bloody Civilian & Wale – Blood on the Dance Floor
- Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morrelo – Hallelujah
- Magnito – Canada
- Jeriq – Ije Nwoke
Best Collaboration
- Tiwa Savage feat. Asa – Emotions
- Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian & Wale – Blood on the Dance Floor
- Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast
- Chike & Mohbad – Egwu (Winner)
- Qing Madi & Bnxn – Ole
- Kizz Daniel & Davido – Twe Twe Remix
- Wizkid feat. Zlatan – Idk
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
- Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song
- Niniola – Level
- Simi – Stranger
- Liya – I’m Done (Winner)
- Yemi Alade – Tomorrow
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
- Lojay – Billions (Winner)
- Omah Lay – Moving
- Anendlessocean – Gratitude
- Johnny Drille – For You
- Timi Dakolo – Ke Na Ke So
Producer of the Year
- Sarz – Happiness
- London – Ozeba (Winner)
- Magicsticks – Basquiat
- Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Klimperboy – Hehehe
- Dibs – Different Pattern
Soundtrack of the Year
- A Tribe Called Judah – TCJ & Abbey Wonder (Winner)
- Teledalese – Eledumare (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)
- Kaline – Lose to Gain (Breath of Life)
- Native Filmworks & Wizard Chan – Kill Boro
- Beriola – Orisa
- Tiwa Savage & Asa – Emotions (Water and Garri)
Best East African Artiste
- Bien (Kenya)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Juma Jux (Tanzania) (Winner)
- Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
- Azawi (Uganda)
Best Central African Artiste
- Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
- Gaz Mawete (DR Congo)
- Matias Damiaso (Angola)
- Emma’A (Gabon)
- Innoss’B (DRC) (Winner)
Best West African Artiste
- Black Sherif (Ghana)
- King Promise (Ghana)
- Himra (Ivory Coast) (Winner)
- Josey (Ivory Coast)
- Toofan (Togo)
Major Winners
These wins reflect not only the talent brewing across the continent, but also a broader shift in recognition for genres, vocal range, production, and the sonic ties between African music and cinema. As the Headies continue to evolve, so too does the standard of artistry — with 2025’s edition offering a timely spotlight on voices we’ll be hearing for years to come.
