Headies 2025: Full List of Nominations as Award Ceremony Returns to Nigeria
The Headies Academy has officially unveiled the list of nominees for the 17th edition of the prestigious music awards, set to take place in Nigeria after a two-year stint in the United States.
This year’s nominations feature multiple nods for industry heavyweights such as Tems, Burna Boy, Rema, Victony, Ayra Starr, Odumodublvck, and the late Mohbad.
According to the Headies, the eligibility period for nominations covers music materials—singles, videos, live recordings, EPs, and albums—released between April 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024.
Rookie of the Year
- Llona
- Kaestyle
- Taves
- Zerrydl
Best Recording of the Year
- Tems – Burning
- Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
- Burna Boy – Higher
- Ayra Starr & Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
- Sarz ft. Lojay – Billions
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 ft. Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
Best Rap Single
- Odumodublvck ft. Shallipopi – Cast
- Odumodublvck ft. 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
- Yemi Alade – Tomorrow
Best Collaboration
- Tiwa Savage ft. Asa – Emotions
- Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian & Wale – Blood on the Dance Floor
- Shallipopi ft. Odumodublvck – Cast
- Chike & Mohbad – Egwu
- Qing Madi & BNXN – Ole
- Kizz Daniel & Davido – Twe Twe Remix
- Wizkid ft. Zlatan – IDK
Best Street-Hop Artiste
- Seyi Vibez – Different Patterns
- Ayo Maff ft. Fireboy DML – Dealer
- Shallipopi ft. Odumodublvck – Cast
- Zhus Jdo – Johnbull
- Mohbad – Ask About Me
Afrobeats Single of the Year
- Young Jonn ft. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – Big Big Things
- Kizz Daniel – Twe Twe Remix
- Chike ft. Mohbad – Egwu
- Asake – Remember
- Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel ft. Davido – Ogechi Remix
- Flavour – Big Baller
Best Rap Album
- Illbliss – Sideh Kai
- Odumodublvck – Eziokwu
- Reminisce – Alaye Toh Se Gogo Vol. 1
- Erigga – Family Time
- Modenine – Shiny Object Syndrome
Headies Next Rated
- Qing Madi
- Shallipopi
- Odumodublvck
- Ayo Maff
- Nasboi
Afrobeats Album of the Year
- Victony – Stubborn
- Asake – Work of Art
- Ayra Starr – The Year I Turned 21
- Rema – Heis
- Young Jonn – Jiggy Forever
Digital Artiste of the Year
- Ayra Starr
- Rema
- Shallipopi
- Tems
- Davido
- Kizz Daniel
- Asake
Best Performer (Live)
- Rema
- Omah Lay
- Flavour
- Wizard Chan
- Burna Boy
- Femi Kuti & The Positive Force
Song of the Year
- Kizz Daniel – Showa
- Ayra Starr – Commas
- Chike & Mohbad – Egwu
- Asake – Lonely at the Top
- Rema – Ozeba
- Flavour – Big Baller
International Artiste of the Year
- Wale – Blood on the Dance Floor (Odumodublvck)
- Skepta – Tony Montana (ft. Portable)
- Chris Brown – Hmmm (ft. Davido)
- Travis Scott – Active (ft. Asake)
- Chloe Bailey – Vision Remix (ft. Qing Madi)
Album of the Year
- Tems – Born in the Wild
- Rema – Heis
- Ayra Starr – The Year I Turned 21
- Victony – Stubborn
- Asake – Work of Art
This year's Headies promises to be an exciting celebration of African music, spotlighting both emerging and established artists shaping the industry. With the awards returning to Nigeria, anticipation is high for what is set to be one of the biggest nights in African music. Stay tuned for updates on the winners!