The Headies Awards has officially announced the nominees for its 17th edition, with Odumodublvck, Qing Madi, and Ayra Starr among the artists leading the nominations.
The organizers revealed the nominee list in a post on X on Wednesday, stating that only songs and music videos released between April 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024, were considered for nominations.
“Only music materials including singles, videos, video live recordings, EPs & albums released & distributed on digital streaming platforms, & physical music media (cassettes, CDs & vinyl) within the year in review (April 1, 2023 & July 31,2024) were considered for nomination,” the post read.
Odumodublvck, the Nigerian rapper, bagged six nominations, including Best Rap Single and Best Collaboration categories.
Ayra Starr, Qing Madi, and Shallipopi followed closely with three nominations each.
The late singer, Mohbad, also received three nominations in the Afrobeats Single of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Best Street-Hop Artiste categories, marking a posthumous recognition of his impact.
In the Rookie of the Year category, Zerry DL, Taves, Kaestyles, and Llona will compete for the award, highlighting emerging talents in the Nigerian music industry.
Full List of Nominees
Best Recording of the Year
- Tems – ‘Burning’
- Seyi Vibez – ‘Different Pattern’
- Burna Boy – ‘Higher’
- Ayra Starr and Giveon – ‘Last Heartbreak Song’
- Sarz and Lojay – ‘Billions’
Best Collaboration
- ‘Emotions’ – Tiwa Savage ft Asa
- ‘Blood on the Dance Floor’ – Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian, and Wale
- ‘Cast’ – Shallipopi ft Odumodublvck
- ‘Egwu’ – Chike ft Mohbad
- ‘Ole’ – Qing Madi ft Bnxn
- ‘Twe Twe Remix’ – Kizz Daniel ft Davido
- ‘IDK’ – Wizkid ft Zlatan
Best Street-Hop Artiste
- Seyi Vibez – ‘Different Patterns’
- Ayo Maff – ‘Dealer’ ft Fireboy
- Shallipopi – ‘Cast’ ft Odumodublvck
- Zhus Jdo – ‘Johnbull’
- Mohbad – ‘Ask About Me’
Afrobeats Single of the Year
- ‘Big Big Things’ – Young John ft Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez
- ‘Twe Twe Remix’ – Kizz Daniel ft Davido
- ‘Egwu’ – Chike ft Mohbad
- ‘Remember’ – Asake
- ‘Ogechi Remix’ – Hyce, Boypee and Brown Joel ft Davido
- ‘Big Baller’ – Flavour
Producer of the Year
- Sarz – ‘Happiness’
- London – ‘Ozeba’
- Magicsticks – ‘Basquiat’
- Rema/Producer X/Cubeats/Deatz/Klimperboy – ‘Hehehe’
- Dibs – ‘Different Pattern’
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
- Ayra Starr – ‘Last Heartbreak Song’
- Niniola – ‘Level’
- Simi – ‘Stranger’
- Liya – ‘I’m Done’
- Yemi Alade – ‘Tomorrow’
Best Rap Single
- ‘Cast’ – Odumodublvck and Shallipopi
- ‘Blood on the Dance Floor’ – Bloody Civilian, Wale, and Odumodublvck
- ‘Hallelujah’ – Ladipoe, Rozzz, and Morello
- ‘Canada’ – Magnito
- ‘Ije Nwoke’ – Jeriq
Rookie of the Year
- Zerry DL
- Taves
- Kaestyles
- Llona
Best R&B Single
- Qing Madi – ‘Vision’
- Johnny Drille – ‘For You’
- Simi – ‘Stranger’
- Tems – ‘Burning’
- Ayra Starr – ‘Last Heartbreak Song’ ft Giveon
Songwriter of the Year
- Simisola Kosoko – ‘Stranger’ (Simi)
- Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma – ‘Vision’ (Qing Madi)
- Michael Ajuma Attah – ‘Can’t Breathe’ (Llona)
- Emoseh Khamofu – ‘Family Meeting’ (Bloody Civilian)
- Fuayefika Maxwell – ‘Stages of Life’ (Wizard Chan)
Music Video of the Year
- ‘Charm’ – Rema, Oerlinks and Folarin Oludare
- ‘Metaverse’ – Jyde Ajala
- ‘Like Ice Spice’ – Perlinks and Emeka Shine Shine
- ‘Ojapiano’ – Mattmax
- ‘Egwu’ – Director Pink
- ‘Showa’ – TG Omori
- ‘Na Money’ – Dammy Twitch
Lyricist on the Roll
- ‘Mogadishu’ – A-Q
- ‘Chocolate City Cypher’ – M.I Abaga
- ‘Chocolate City Cypher’ – Blaqbonez
- ‘Hallelujah’ – Ladipoe
- ‘Efeleme’ – Alpha Ojini
Best Inspirational Single
- ‘Gratitude’ – ANENDLESSOCEAN
- ‘Worthy Of My Praise’ – Dunsin Oyekan ft Lawrence Oyor
- ‘Good God 2’ – Limoblaze ft Naomi Raine
- ‘Particularly’ – Gaise Baba ft Tope Alabi
- ‘You Do This One’ – Mercy Chinwo
Best West African Artiste of the Year
- Black Sherif (Ghana)
- King Promise (Ghana)
- Himra (Ivory Coast)
- Josey (Ivory Coast)
- Toofan (Togo)
Best East African Artiste of the Year
- Bien (Kenya)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Juma Jux (Tanzania)
- Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
- Azawi (Uganda)
Best North African Artiste of the Year
- Mohamed Ramadan (Egypt)
- Elgrande Toto (Morocco)
- Soolking (Algeria)
- Balti (Tunisia)
- Abu (Egypt)
Best Rap Album
- ‘Sideh Kai’ – Illbliss
- ‘Eziokwu’ – Odumodublvck
- ‘Alaye Toh Se Gogo VOL. 1’ – Reminisce
- ‘Family Time’ – Erigga
- ‘Shiny Object Syndrome’ – Modenine
- ‘Full Time Job’ – Phyno
The 17th edition of The Headies is scheduled to take place on April 5, 2025, celebrating the best of Nigerian and African music. Meanwhile, the 18th edition is set for December, though the exact date has not been disclosed.
