The Headies Awards, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious music award shows, has officially announced the nominees for its 17th edition on February 12, 2025.
This edition is particularly significant as it marks the return of the awards to Nigeria after being hosted in Atlanta, USA, for the previous two years.
The ceremony for the 2024 edition, rescheduled to April 5, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, will honor outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry, while the 2025 edition is slated for December 2025.
The nomination list for 2025 has generated significant buzz, reflecting the diversity and vibrancy of the Nigerian and broader African music scenes.
Key Categories and Nominees for Headies 2025
The nomination list for the Headies 2025 includes both voting and non-voting categories, with a focus on rewarding artists, producers, songwriters, and other music professionals for their contributions.
Rookie of the Year
This category recognizes new artists who have had a successful year musically, typically without releasing a full album. The nominees for 2025 are:
• Zerry DL
• Taves
• Kaestyle
• Llona
Producer of the Year
This non-voting category honours the individual responsible for producing the most acclaimed song or album in the year under review. The nominees are:
• Sarz – Happiness
• London – OZEBA
• Producer X, Cubeatz, Deatz, Klimperboy – “HEHEHE” (Rema)
• Magicsticks – Basquiat
• Dibs – Different Pattern
Best Recording of the Year
This non-voting category rewards the best recording based on songwriting, production, and rendition. The nominees are:
• Tems – Burning
• Seyi Vibez– Different Pattern
• Burna Boy – Higher
• Ayra Starr & Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
• Sarz & Lojay – Billion
Best Music Video
This category recognizes the best music video based on direction, cinematography, and creativity. The nominees are:
• Rema, Perliks Pictures & Folarin Oludare – “Charm”
• Jyde Ajala – Metaverse
• Blaqbonez & Perliks Pictures – Like Ice Spice
• Mattmax – Ojapiano
• Director Pink – Egwu
• Kizz Daniel — Showa
• Davido, The Cavemen & Angelique Kidjo — Na Money
Best R&B Single
• Qing Madi — Vision
• Johnny Drille — For You
• Ayra Starr & Giveon — Last Heartbreak Song
• Tems — Burning
• Simi — Stranger
Songwriter of the Year
• Simi — Stranger
• Qing Madi — Vision
• Llona — Can’t Breathe
• Bloody Civilian — Family Meeting
• Wizard Chan — Stages of Life
Best Rap Single
• Shallipopi & Odumodublvck — Cast
• Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian & Wale — Blood on the Dance Floor
• Ladipoe Ft Rozzz & Morrell — 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
Beat Street Hop Artiste
• Seyi Vibez — Different Patterns
• Ayo Maff & Fireboy DML — Dealer
• Shallipopi & Odumodublvck — Cast
• Zhus JDO — Johnbull
• Mohbad — Ask About Me
Best Collaboration
• Tiwa Savage & Asa — Emotions
• Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian & Wale — Blood on the Dance Floor
• Shallipopi & Odumodublvck — Cast
•Chike & Mohbad — Egwu
• Qing Madi & Bnxn — Ole
• Kizz Daniel & Davido — Twe Twe remix
• Wizkid & Zlatan — IDK
