17th Headies Award (Back to Base), List of Nominees and Winners

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It’s another year for the Headies award night. The Headies Award is held every year to appreciate and recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry. The show was hosted by Nancy Isime on 27th April 2025 while the red carpet was hosted by Eni Oluwa and Hawa Magaji.

It was broadcast live on Hip TV, and the event was held in Nigeria after previously taking place in Atlanta, USA, hence the tag ‘Back to Base,’ as it returned to its home country. A good number of musical sensations were present at this year’s Headies Award show with performances from Qing Madi, shallipopi, Ayo Maff, Odumodublvck, Juma Jux, and lots more.

Do you think any of your favorites went home with a Headies Award? Let’s dive right into the list of nominees for the various categories at the 17th Headies Award event.

Award Nominees for Best Street Hip hop Artist of the Year

Different patterns by Seyi Vibes
Dealer by Ayo maff ft Fireboy DL
Cast by shallipopi ft Odumodublvck
Johnbull by Zhus JDO
Ask about me by Mohbad

The winner for this category is Ask About Me by Mohbad

Award Nominees for Next Rated Artist of the Year

Qing Madi
Shallipopi
Odumodu Blvck
Ayo Maff
Nasboi

The winner of this category, presented by Davido, is Odumodublvck

Award Nominees for Best Afrobeat of the Year

Big baller by Flavour
Big big things by Young John ft Kizz Daniel and Seyi vibes
Twe Twe remix by kizz Daniel
Egwu by Chike ft Mohbad
Remember by Asake
Ogechi remix by Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel ft Davido

The winner of this category is Big baller by Flavour

Award Nominees for Album of the year

Stubborn by Victony
Work of art by Asake
The year I turned 22 by Ayra Starr
HEIS by Rema
Jiggy Forever by Young John

The winner of this category is Rema HEIS

Award Nominees for Producer of the Year

Sars for Happiness
London for Ozeba
Magic stick for Basquiat
Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Kilmberboy for Hehehe
Dibs for Different patterns

The winner of this category is London for Ozeba

Award Nominees for Best East African Artist

Azawi from Uganda
Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania
Bruce Melodie from Rwanda
Juma Jux from Tanzania
Bien from Kenya

The winner of this category is Juma Jux from Tanzania

Award Nominees for Digital artist of the year

Ayra starr
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Davido
Kizz Daniel
Asake

The winner of this category is Davido

Award Nominees for Best Vocal Performers (Female)

Last heartbreak song by Ayra starr
Level by Niniola
Stranger by Simi
I’m done by Liya
Tomorrow by Yemi Alade

The winner of this category is I’m done by Liya

Award Nominees for Viewers Choice Award

Big big things by Young John ft Kizz Daniel and Seyi vibez
Ogechi remix by Hyce, Boypee and Brown Joel ft Davido
Egwu by Chike and Mohbad
Ozeba by Rema
Different patterns by Seyi vibes
Showa by Kizz Daniel
Love me Jeje by Tems
Cast by Shallipopi ft Odumodublvck
Dealer by Ayo Maff ft Fireboy
Big baller by Flavour

The winner for this category is Egwu by Chike and Mohbad

Award Nominees for Best Central African Artist

Innoss’B from DRC
Emma’A from Gabon
Eboloko from Gabon
Singuila from the Central African Republic
Kocee from Cameron

The winner for this category is Innoss’B from DRC

Nigeria at 64: Unsung Heroines of Nigerian Independence

17th Headies Award Nominees For Other Categories

Other categories and awardees are

Song of the year winner – Lonely at the Top by Asake.
Video director of the year winner – Pink for Egwu by Chike and Mohbad.
Rookie of the year winner – Zerrydl.
Songwriter of the year winner – Qing Madi.
Best rap single of the year winner – Erigga.
Best vocal performance (male) winner – Billions by Lojay.
International artist of the year winner – Travis Scott.
Best recording of the year winner – Burning by Tems.
Beat soundtrack of the year winner- A tribe called Judah by Tcj and Abbey Wonder.
Humanitarian Award winner – Mitchell Mukoro.
Lyricist on the Roll winner – Hallelujah by Ladipoe.
Best Inspirational single winner – You do this one by Mercy Chinwo.
Special Recognition award winner – Kcee.
Best R&B single winner – Last Heartbreak song by Ayra Starr and Giveon.
Best live performer winner – Burna Boy for African Giant live from London.

Although the Headies Award left out a couple of categories this year, what are your thoughts on the winners? Were they deserving of the awards?

Brief Highlights of the 17th Headies Award Event 2025

During the presentation of the best Afrobeat of the year, the presenter, Annie, had a slip of the tongue, or rather a joke, while introducing herself. She started by saying Annie Idib.. then corrected herself and said Annie Macaulay. She laughed and gave a shout-out to all single ladies. If you don’t understand this, then you must have been under a rock since this year.

Also, a tribute was held in honor of Mohbad during the Headies with clips from some of his music videos that were done to keep his legacy alive. Allegedly, Cubana was rejected at the entrance of the Headies Award event because he was not invited.

Furthermore, Nigeria’s biggest YouTube streamer, Peller, who was originally slated to cover the event live on his channel, ended up not attending. Why? Reports suggest that the Headies organizers proposed a revenue-sharing deal from the livestream, which Peller declined. As a result, he was allegedly sidelined.

The incident has stirred widespread debate online. Critics have slammed the Headies for leveraging Peller’s popularity to build anticipation, only to drop him at the last minute. Some are even calling for legal action, urging Peller to sue. Others argue the awards show has lost its relevance, with many viewers describing the latest edition as underwhelming and uninspired.

At the heart of the controversy is a broader question about the direction and credibility of the Headies. Has the show evolved with the times, or is it simply coasting on past glory? One thing is clear: audiences are paying attention, and expectations are higher than ever.

What do you think about the event show? Was it up to standard?