THE 17th edition of the Headies Awards, themed “Back to Base”, made its return to Nigeria on Sunday, 27 April, following a two-year stint abroad.
The event, held in Lagos State, celebrated the outstanding achievements of Nigeria and the African music industry.
Hosts Nancy Isime and IK Osakioduwa captivated the audience with their charisma, humour, and stage presence. The event showcased performances by some of Africa’s top talents, including Qing Madi, L.A.X, Odumodublvck, Kcee, Shallipopi, Flavour, Juma Jux, Nasboi, and Magnito.
Veteran Nigerian artist Kcee was honoured with the Special Recognition Award for his 26-year contribution to the music industry, cultural influence, and continued artistic evolution.
The ceremony also paid a glowing tribute to the late Mohbad, who was posthumously awarded Best Street-Hop Artiste for his track “Ask About Me.”
His family accepted the award and was given a standing ovation by the audience. Mohbad also got additional nominations, highlighting the enduring impact of his works.
In a moment of drama, rapper Odumodublvck, who won the Next Rated category, refused to leave the stage after event organisers cut his speech short.
Joined by his mother and entourage, he stood firm until his microphone was restored, allowing him to complete his remarks.
The 2025 Headies Awards showcase a night of elegance and significant accolades, underscoring the dynamic growth of African music.
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
Tems
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)