2025 Headies Nominations: The Complete List and What You Need to Know
The Headies Academy has officially unveiled the nominations for the 17th edition of the prestigious Headies Awards, scheduled to take place in 2025. This year's list is packed with some of the biggest names in African music, with Tems, Burna Boy, Rema, Victony, Ayra Starr, the late Mohbad, and Odumodublck all securing multiple nominations. For the first time in two years, the event will return to Nigeria after a two-year stint in the US, an arrangement that sparked mixed reactions from fans and critics alike.
Nominations Criteria
The Headies Awards follow a strict eligibility period. Only music released between April 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024, is considered for nomination. This includes singles, music videos, EPs, albums, and live recordings that were made available via digital streaming platforms or physical media (like CDs, cassettes, and vinyl).
Exciting Categories and Noteworthy Nominations
Rookie of the Year
This year, rising stars like Taves, Zerrydl, Kaestyle, and Llona are in the running for the coveted Rookie of the Year award. The winner will take over from rapper OdumoduBlvck, who claimed the title at the 16th Headies.
Best Recording of the Year
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Tems – Burning
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Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
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Burna Boy – Higher
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Ayra Starr & Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
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Sarz feat. Lojay – Billions
Producer of the Year
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Sarz – Happiness
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London – Ozeba
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Magicsticks – Basquiat
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Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Klimperboy – Hehehe
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Dibs – Different Pattern
Songwriter of the Year
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Simi – Stranger
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Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma – Vision (Qing Madi)
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Michael Ajuma Attah – Can’t Breathe (Llona)
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Emoseh Khamofu – Family Meeting (Bloody Civilian)
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Fuayefika Maxwell – Stages of Life (Wizard Chan)
Best R&B Single
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Qing Madi – Vision
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Johnny Drille – For You
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Simi – Stranger
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Tems – Burning
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Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song ft. Giveon
Best Rap Single
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Cast – Odumodublvck feat. Shallipopi
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Blood on the Dance Floor – Odumodublvck feat. Bloody Civilian & Wale
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Hallelujah – Ladipoe, Rozzz, and Morrelo
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Canada – Magnito
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Ije Nwoke – Jeriq
Best Music Video
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Charm – (Rema X Perliks X Folarin Oludare)
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Metaverse – (Jyde Ajala)
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Like Ice Spice – (Perliks & Emeka Shine Shine)
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Ojapiano – (Mattmax)
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Egwu – (Director Pink)
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Showa – (Tg Omori)
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Na Money – (Dammy Twitch)
Best Collaboration
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Emotions – Tiwa Savage feat. Asa
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Blood on the Dance Floor – Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian, and Wale
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Cast – Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck
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Egwu – Chike and Mohbad
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Ole – Qing Madi and Bnxn
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Twe Twe Remix – Kizz Daniel and Davido
Best Street-Hop Artiste
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Seyi Vibez – Different Patterns
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Ayo Maff – Dealer (feat. Fireboy DML)
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Shallipopi – Cast (feat. Odumodublvck)
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Zhus Jdo – Johnbull
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Mohbad – Ask About Me
Afrobeats Single of the Year
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Big Big Things – Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel, Seyi Vibez
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Twe Twe Remix – Kizz Daniel
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Egwu feat. Mohbad – Chike
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Remember – Asake
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Ogechi Remix – Hyce, Boypee, Brown Joel feat. Davido
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Big Baller – Flavor
Lyricist on the Roll
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Mogadishu – A-Q
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Chocolate City Cypher – M.I Abaga
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Chocolate City Cypher – Blaqbonez
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Hallelujah – Ladipoe
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Efeleme – Alpha Ojini
Best Inspirational Single
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Gratitude – Anendlessocean
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Worthy of My Praise – Dunsin Oyekan feat. Lawrence Oyor
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Good God 2 – Limoblaze feat. Naomi Raine
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Particularly – Gaise Baba feat. Tope Alabi
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You Do This One – Mercy Chinwo
Viewers’ Choice Awards
The Viewers’ Choice Awards category lets fans have a say in their favorite tracks. Some of the standout songs nominated this year include:
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Big Big Things – Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel, Seyi Vibez
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Ogechi Remix – Hyce, Boypee, Brown Joel feat. Davido
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Egwu – Chike and Mohbad
Best West African Artist of the Year
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Black Sherif (Ghana)
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King Promise (Ghana)
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Himra (Ivory Coast)
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Josey (Ivory Coast)
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Toofan (Togo)
Best East African Artist of the Year
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Bien (Kenya)
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Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
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Juma Jux (Tanzania)
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Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
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Azawi (Uganda)
Best Southern African Artist of the Year
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Titom (South Africa)
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Yuppe (South Africa)
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Tyla (South Africa)
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Kelly Kay (Malawi)
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Plutonio (Mozambique)
Album of the Year
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Born in the Wild – Tems
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Heis – Rema
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The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
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Stubborn – Victony
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Work of Art – Asake