The 17th edition of the prestigious Headies Awards, titled ‘Back to Base’, took place on Sunday at the Landmark Event Centre in Lekki, marking a vibrant return to Nigeria after two years abroad.
Nollywood actress Nancy Isime and IK Osakioduwa, a veteran broadcaster, hosted the ceremony with charisma, humour and energy on stage.
It was a night dedicated to celebrating great achievements across the Nigerian and African music industries, recognising musicians, producers, and creatives who have made remarkable contributions over the last year.
The night was further enlivened by thrilling performances by some of the continent’s greatest performers, including Qing Madi, L.A.X, Odumodublvck, Kcee, Shallipopi, Flavour, Juma Jux, Nasboi, Magnito, and others.
Tanzanian musician sensation Juma Jux had a great night, winning the award for Best East African Artiste of the Year, beating out other noteworthy nominees such as Bien (Kenya), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Bruce Melodie (Rwanda), and Azawi.
He also wowed the audience with his amazing live performance.
One of the night’s most moving moments was the awarding of the Special Recognition Award to Limpopo master Kcee.
The award recognised his longstanding contributions to the Nigerian music industry, cultural impact, and impressive artistic evolution over the last 26 years.
In a heartfelt moment, the late Mohbad was posthumously awarded the Best Street-Hop Artiste award for his hit single “Ask About Me”.
His family, including his wife and little son, Liam, accepted the medal on his behalf to a standing ovation from the audience.
The celebration also included a moving tribute to Mohbad’s enormous influence on the music industry and the legacy he left behind.
In addition to his win, Mohbad received other posthumous nominations, including Best Collaboration for “Egwu” with Chike and Afrobeats Single of the Year.
These nominations, as well as his posthumous acclaim, highlight the lasting impact of his music and the irreplaceable vacuum his death has left in the industry.
There was some mild drama when the event’s organisers ordered that Odumodublvck, who won the Next Rated Category, leave the stage while he was giving a lengthy speech after accepting his prize.
The rapper, who climbed the stage with his mother, friends, and record label staff, refused to leave until the organisers turned on his microphone, which had previously been turned off, allowing him to continue his message.
See the 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
Terms
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)
