Music stars from across the continent gathered at the Landmark Events Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday, April 27, 2025, for the 17th edition of the prestigious Headies Awards.
This year’s ceremony marked a highly anticipated return to Nigeria after being hosted in Atlanta, Georgia, for two consecutive editions. Themed “Back to Base” and “Apologetically African,” the event aimed to celebrate outstanding musical achievements across Africa between April 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024.
Two new categories were introduced—Soundtrack of the Year and Best Performer (Live)—broadening the platform for artists to gain recognition for their work in more diverse areas.
However, what began as a night of glamour and celebration reportedly ended in disarray. Technical glitches and poor time management forced organisers to abruptly halt the event before several key awards were announced. By 3:32 a.m. Nigerian time, notable categories such as Best R&B Single, Best Collaboration, Lyricist on the Roll, Best Rap Album, Best Inspirational Single, and Best Performer (Live) had yet to be revealed.
Despite the disruption, there were standout moments. Nollywood superstar Funke Akindele took home a major win for Soundtrack of the Year with her record-breaking 2024 film A Tribe Called Judah, which set new benchmarks in Nigerian cinema.
While organisers have pledged to announce the remaining winners later, the abrupt end left many fans and artists disappointed, casting a shadow over what should have been a triumphant homecoming for the Headies.
Full List of Winners:
Rookie of the Year
(WINNER: Zerry DL)
– Taves
– Kaestyle
– Llona
Best Recording of the Year
(WINNER: “Burning” – Tems)
– “Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez
– “Higher” – Burna Boy
– “Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr and Giveon
– “Billions” – Sarz and Lojay
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
(WINNER: “Billions” – Lojay)
– “Moving” – Omah Lay
– “Gratitude” – Anendlessocean
– “For You” – Johnny Drille
– “Ke Na Ke So” – Timi Dakolo
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
(WINNER: “I’m Done” – Liya)
– “Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr
– “Level” – Niniola
– “Stranger” – Simi
– “Tomorrow” – Yemi Alade
Next Rated
(WINNER: Odumodublvck)
– Qing Madi
– Shallipopi
– Ayo Maff
Song of the Year
(WINNER: “Lonely at the Top” – Asake)
– “Egwu” – Chike and Mohbad
– “OZEBA” – Rema
– “Showa” – Kizz Daniel
– “Commas” – Ayra Starr
Afrobeats Single of the Year
(WINNER: “Big Baller” – Flavour)
– “Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
– “Twe Twe Remix” – Kizz Daniel
– “Egwu” – Chike (feat. Mohbad)
– “Remember” – Asake
– “Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
Producer of the Year
(WINNER: “OZEBA” – London)
– “Happiness” – Sarz
– “Basquiat” – Magicsticks
– “HEHEHE” – Rema, Producer X, Cubeatz, Deatz and Klimperboy
– “Different Patterns” – Dibs
Afrobeats Album of the Year
(WINNER: HEIS – Rema)
– Stubborn – Victony
– Work of Art – Asake
– The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
– Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn
Music Video of the Year
(WINNER: “EGWU” – Director Pink)
– “Charm” – Rema (directed by Perliks and Folarin Oludare)
– “Metaverse” – Jyde Ajala
– “Like Ice Spice” – Perliks and Emeka Shine Shine
– “Ojapiano” – Mattmax
– “Showa” – TG Omori
– “Na Money” – Dammy Twitch
Soundtrack of the Year
(WINNER: “Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack” – TCJ and Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack))
– “Eledumare” – Teledalase (Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre)
– “Lose to Gain” – Kaline (Breath of Life)
– “Kill Boro” – Native Filmworks and Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)
– “Orisa” – Beriola (Orisa)
– “Emotions” – Tiwa Savage and Asa (Water and Garri)
Special Recognition Award Recipients
– Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
– Alex Okosi
– Amaju Pinnick
Humanitarian Award Recipients
– Temitola Adekunle Johnson
– Michelle Mukoro (King Mitchy)
Songwriter of the Year
(WINNER: “Vision” – Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi))
– “Stranger” – Simisola Kosoko (Simi)
– “Can’t Breathe” – Michael Ajuma Attah (Llona)
– “Family Meeting” – Emoseh Khamofu (Bloody Civilian)
– “Stages of Life” – Fuayefika Maxwell (Wizard Chan)
Headies’ Viewers’ Choice
(WINNER: “Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad)
– “Big Baller” – Flavour
– “Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
– “Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
– “Showa” – Kizz Daniel
– “Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez
– “OZEBA” – Rema
– “Love Me Jeje” – Tems
– “Cast” – Shallipopi (feat. Odumodublvck)
– “Dealer” – Ayo Maff (feat. Fireboy DML)
Best Rap Single
(WINNER: “Cast” – Shallipopi and Odumodublvck)
– “Blood on the Dance Floor” – Bloody Civilian, Wale, and Odumodublvck
– “Hallelujah” – Ladipoe, Rozzz, and Morello
– “Canada” – Magnito
– “Ije Nwoke” – Jeriq
Best Street-Hop Artiste
(WINNER: Mohbad – “Ask About Me”)
– Zhus Jdo – “Johnbull”
– Seyi Vibez – “Different Patterns”
– Ayo Maff – “Dealer” (feat. Fireboy DML)
– Shallipopi – “Cast” (feat. Odumodublvck)
Digital Artiste of the Year
(WINNER: Davido)
– Ayra Starr
– Rema
– Shallipopi
– Tems
– Kizz Daniel
– Asake
Best Central African Artiste of the Year
(WINNER: Innoss’B (DRC))
– Gaz Mawete (DRC)
– Emma’A (Gabon)
– Ebokolo (Gabon)
– Singuila (Central African Republic)
– Koceé (Cameroon)
Best East African Artiste of the Year
(WINNER: Juma Jux (Tanzania))
– Bien (Kenya)
– Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
– Bruce Melody (Rwanda)
– Azawi (Uganda)
Special Recognition
– KCee
