The 17th Headies Awards 2025 was held in Lagos on the 27th of April. The Headies (originally called the Hip Hop World Awards) is a music awards show established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World Magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.
The annual ceremony features performances by established and promising artists. It is broadcast live on HipTV across 89 countries globally, including 44 African countries.
The 17th edition of The Headies Awards dazzled Lagos on April 27th, 2025, as Nigeria’s brightest musical stars converged at the Landmark Events Centre for a night of celebration and recognition.
The show pulsed with energy, blending electrifying performances with heartfelt tributes, all while honoring the artists who shaped the soundscape of the past year.
Below are some of the Categories:
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
London – Ozeba — Winner
Sarz – Happiness
Magicsticks – Basquiat
Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Klimperboy – Hehehe
Dibs – Different Pattern
Headies Next Rated
Odumodublvck — Winner
Qing Madi
Shallipopi
Ayo Maff
Nasboi
Afrobeats Album of the Year
Heis – Rema — Winner
Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn
Songwriter of the Year
Qing Madi – Vision -Winner
Llona – Can’t Breathe
Bloody Civilian – Family Meeting
Wizard Chan – Stages of Life
Simi- Stranger
Rookie of the Year
Zerrydl— Winner
Llona
Kaestyle
Taves
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)
Liya – I’m Done —Winner
Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song
Niniola – Level
Simi – Stranger
Yemi Alade – Tomorrow
Music Video of the Year
Director Pink – Egwu — Winner
Rema – Charm (Dir. Perliks & Folarin Oludare)
Jyde Ajala – Metaverse
Perliks & Emeka Shine Shine – Like Ice Spice
Mattmax – Ojapiano
TG Omori – Showa
Dammy Twitch – Na Money
Best Street-Hop Artiste
Mohbad – Ask About Me — Winner
Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
Ayo Maff feat. Fireboy DML – Dealer
Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast
Zhus Jdo – Johnbull
Afrobeats Single of the Year
Flavour – Big Baller — Winner
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
Best Vocal Performance (male)
Lojay – Billions – Winner
Viewers’ Choice Award
Chike & Mohbad – Egwu — Winner
Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – Big Big Things
Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido – Ogechi Remix
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
Davido — Winner
Ayra Starr
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Kizz Daniel
Asake
Song of the Year
Lonely at the Top – Asake — Winner
Showa – Kizz Daniel
Commas – Ayra Starr
Egwu – Chike and Mohbad
Ozeba – Rema
Big Baller – Flavour
Best Movie Soundtrack
A Tribe Called Judah — Winner
Humanitarian awards
Temitola Adekunle Johnson
Mitchell Mukoro
Best East African Artiste
Juma Jux (Tanzania) -Winner
Bien (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
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)
Special Recognition Awards
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor
Alex Okosi
Amaju Pinnick
KCee
The award body left out 10 categories such as Best Collaboration, Best Inspirational Single, Lyricist on the Roll, Best R&B Single, Best Southern African Artiste, Best North African Artiste, Best West African Artiste, International Artiste of the Year, Best Performer (Live), Best Rap Album.
