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The Headies Awards are back, and with them comes the ultimate celebration of Nigerian music, talent, and entertainment, after a two-year stint in the U.S. , two award ceremonies will be held in 2025: the 17th edition, which was postponed last year, will take place on April 27, while the 18th edition is scheduled for December. It was initially scheduled for April 5, but the organizers announced the rescheduling in March.

As the industry continues to evolve, the 2025 nominations reflect a dynamic mix of established stars and rising talents ready to leave their mark.

From chart-topping hits to genre-defying collaborations, this year’s nominations span a variety of categories, giving fans and industry insiders plenty to talk about.

Whether you’re rooting for your favourite artist or curious about who made the cut, here’s your complete list of the 17th Headies Awards nominees.

Rookie of the Year

Zerry DL 

taves 

Kaestyle

Llona

Next Rated

Qing Madi

Shallipopi

OdumoduBlvck

Ayo Maff

Nasboi

Artiste of the Year

Davido

Ayra Starr

Asake

Rema

Tems

Burna Boy

Best Recording of the Year

“Burning” – Tems

“Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez

“Higher” – Burna Boy

“Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr and Giveon

“Billions” – Sarz and Lojay

Producer of the Year

“Happiness” – Sarz

“OZEBA” – London

“Basquiat” – Magicsticks 

“HEHEHE” – Rema, Producer X, Cubeatz, Deatz and Klimperboy

“Different Patterns” – Dibs

Song of the Year

“Commas” – Ayra Starr

“Big Baller” – Flavour

“Lonely At The Top” – Asake

“OZEBA” – Rema

“EGWU” – Chike (ft. Mohbad)

“Showa” – Kizz Daniel

Songwriter of the Year

“Stranger” – Simisola Kosoko (Simi)

“Vision” – Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi)

“Can’t Breathe” – Michael Ajuma Attah (Llona)

“Family Meeting” – Emoseh Khamofu (Bloody Civilian)

“Stages of Life” – Fuayefika Maxwell (Wizard Chan)

Best R&B Single

“Vision” – Qing Madi 

“For You” – Johnny Drille

“Stranger” – Simi

“Burning” – Tems

“Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr (ft. Giveon)

Best Rap Single 

“Cast” – Shallipopi (ft. OdumoduBlvck)

“Blood On the Dance Floor” – OdumoduBlvck (ft. Bloody Civilian and Wale)

“Hallelujah” – Ladipoe (ft. Rozzz and Morello)

“Canada” – Magnito

“Ije Nwoke” – Jeriq

Best Vocal Performance (Female)

“Last Song Heartbreak” – Ayra Starr 

“Level” – Niniola

“Stranger” – Simi

“I’m Done” – Liya

“Tomorrow” – Yemi Alade

Best Vocal Performance (Male)

“Billions” – Lojay 

“Moving” – Omah Lay

“Gratitude” – Anendlessocean

“For You” – Johnny Drille

“Ke Na Ke So” – Timi Dakolo

Music Video of the Year

“Charm” – Rema, Perliks and Folarin Oludare

“Metaverse” – Jyde Ajala

“Like Ice Spice” – Perliks and Emeka Shine Shine

“Ojapiano” – Mattmax

“EGWU” – Director Pink

“Showa” – TG Omori

“Na Money” – Dammy Twitch

Best Collaboration

“Emotions” – Tiwa Savage (ft. Asa)

“Blood On the Dance Floor” – OdumoduBlvck (ft. 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

“Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez

“Dealer” – Ayo Maff (ft. Fireboy DML)

“Cast” – Shallipopi (ft. Odumodublvck)

“Johnbull” – Zhus Jdo

“Ask About Me” – Mohbad

Afrobeats Single of the Year

“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (ft. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)

“Twe Twe Remix” – Kizz Daniel

“Egwu” – Chike (ft. Mohbad)

“Remember” – Asake

“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (ft. Davido)

“Big Baller” – Flavour

Afrobeats Album of the Year

Stubborn – Victony

Work of Art – Asake

The Year I turned 21 – Ayra Starr

HEIS – Rema

Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn

Best Digital Artiste of the Year

Ayra Starr

Rema

Shallipopi

Tems

Davido

Kizz Daniel

Asake

Lyricist on the Roll

“Efeleme” – Alpha Ojini

“Mogadishu” – A-Q

“Chocolate City Cypher” – M.I Abaga

“Chocolate City Cypher” – Blaqbonez

“Hallelujah” – Ladipoe

Best Rap Album

Sideh Kai – iLLBliss

Eziokwu – OdumoduBlvck

Alaye Toh Se Gogo Vol. 1 – Reminisce

Family Time – Erigga

Shine Object Syndrome – Modenine

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

Album of the Year

Stubborn – Victony

Work of Art – Asake

The Year I turned 21 – Ayra Starr

HEIS – Rema

Born In the Wild – Tems

Headies’ Viewers’ Choice

“Big Baller” – Flavour

“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (ft. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)

“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (ft. Davido)

“Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad

“Showa” – Kizz Daniel

“Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez

“OZEBA” – Rema

“Love Me Jeje” – Tems

“Cast” – Shallipopi (ft. Odumodublvck)

“Dealer” – Ayo Maff (ft. Fireboy DML)

Soundtrack of the Year

“Eledumare” – Teledalase (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)

“Lose to Gain” – Kaline (Breathe of Life)

“Kill Boro” – Native Filmworks and Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)

“Orisa” – Beriola (Orisa)

“Emotions” – Tiwa Savage and Asa (Water and Garri)

“Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack” – TCJ and Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack)

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 South African Artiste of the Year

Titom (South Africa)

Yuppe (South Africa)

Tyla (South Africa)

Kelly Kay (Malawi)

Plutonio (Mozambique)

Zee Nxumalo (South Africa)

Best Central African Artiste of the Year

Innoss’B (DRC)

Gaz Mawete (DRC)

Emma’A (Gabon)

Singuila (Central African Republic)

Kocee (Cameroon)

International Artiste of the Year

Wale – “Blood On The dance Floor” (OdumoduBlvck)

Skepta – “Tony Montana” (ft. Portable)

Chris Brown – “Hmm” (ft. Davido)

Travis Scott – “Active” (Asake)

Chloe Bailey – “Vision (Remix)” (Qing Madi)

ALSO READ: The Headies: A History of Highs, Lows and Controversies