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The 17th edition of the Headies Awards, Nigeria’s biggest music award event, will be held in Lagos on Sunday, April 27. The event will bring together music industry insiders to celebrate the best of Nigerian music.

As we anticipate who will snag what award on Sunday, we asked 10 Nigerian music industry insiders, including record label executives, music journalists, and Afrobeats nerds, what their Headies predictions for some of the top categories are.

Here’s what they had to say:

Rookie of the Year

(Culture Writer, 91����)
Predicted Winner: Llona

Why: In the three years since Llona rebranded from TooClassiq, he has released a viral hit, a widely acclaimed debut album, built a cult following, and held a successful first headline concert. Less than a year after his Homeless album, he secured a feature with America’s Fridayy. He has had the most successful year and career so far out of everyone on the list.

Nominees 
Zerry DL 
taves 
Kaestyle
Llona

Next Rated

(Label & Marketing Manager/A&R Coordinator, Africa, Virgin Music)
Predicted Winner: OdumoduBlvck

Why: Dominance in all forms: multiple hits, a great album, a brand, and overseas relevance during the year in review.

Nominees: 
Qing Madi
Shallipopi
OdumoduBlvck
Ayo Maff
Nasboi

Artiste of the Year

(Editor, Native Magazine)
Predicted Winner: Rema

Why: I think Rema was the most transformative act of 2024. His album, HEIS, showed that artists could break away with a distinctive sound and still be diverse. He was coming off the high and global success of “Calm Down,” and he could have easily played it safe, but instead, he took a different route. It would be well deserved.

Nominees
Davido
Ayra Starr
Asake
Rema
Tems

Best Recording of the Year

(Author of E File Fun Burna: The Incredible Stagecraft of Burna Boy)
Predicted Winner: “Burning” by Tems

Why: My first instinct is Tems — she’s on a legendary path. She’s blazing trails, so she’s the first person that comes to mind. But I also think we need a new kind of pop star. Tems doesn’t move like a pop star; she’s soulful, introspective. What we need is a pop star in the making of Beyoncé, and to me, that’s Ayra Starr.

Nominees
“Burning” – Tems
“Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez
“Higher” – Burna Boy
“Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr and Giveon
“Billions” – Sarz and Lojay

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ALSO READ: 17th Headies Awards: The Complete List of Nominees

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Producer of the Year

(A&R Executive and Talent Manager)
Predicted Winner: “Happiness” – Sarz

Why: He has proven his longevity and versatility with “Happiness.” It is genre bending, and the fusion of sounds to appeal to markets across continents and cultures makes it versatile.

Nominees 
“Happiness” – Sarz
“OZEBA” – London
“Basquiat” – Magicsticks 
“HEHEHE” – Rema, Producer X, Cubeatz, Deatz and Klimperboy
“Different Patterns” – Dibs

Song of the Year 

(Co-host, LooseTalk Podcast)
Predicted Winner: “Ozeba” by Rema

Why: It was a unifier — a Street-Hop/Mara song by a global superstar with fans around the world and across every demographic of Nigerian music listeners. From alté to diaspora to Ibile, everyone vibed to it.

Nominees:
“Commas” – Ayra Starr
“Big Baller” – Flavour
“Lonely At The Top” – Asake
“OZEBA” – Rema
“EGWU” – Chike (ft. Mohbad)
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel

Best Vocal Performance (Female)

(Radio Broadcaster, Max FM and PR/Comms Executive)
Predicted Winner: “Stranger” by Simi

Why: My prediction is that Simi’s “Stranger” will take it. This is such a strong category — all the women here are vocally solid. But based on the songs nominated, I’d give it to Simi. Her vocal range, the texture of her voice, and the way she insanely delivered on “Stranger”? Chef’s kiss. She’s that girl vocally, and this performance is a reminder of exactly why.

Nominees 
“Last Song Heartbreak” – Ayra Starr 
“Level” – Niniola
“Stranger” – Simi
“I’m Done” – Liya
“Tomorrow” – Yemi Alade

Best Vocal Performance (Male)

(Multimedia Lead, Big Cabal Media)
Predicted Winner: “Gratitude” by Anendlessocean

Why: This is a tough category because all the nominees deserve to win based on their exploits. But I think it’s between AEO, Johnny Drille, Lojay, and Timi Dakolo. Personally, I’d give it to AEO. His song ticks all the boxes for vocal performance, from his voice to the lyrics, the melody, and most importantly, its impact.

Nominees
“Billions” – Lojay 
“Moving” – Omah Lay
“Gratitude” – Anendlessocean
“For You” – Johnny Drille
“Ke Na Ke So” – Timi Dakolo

Best Street-Hop Artiste

(Music Journalist, Pulse Nigeria)
Predicted Winner: “Cast” by Shallipopi (ft. Odumodublvck)

Why: Shallipopi and Odumodublvck’s “Cast” will win because it is the biggest song, it has the most cultural impact and it’s the most popular, ubiquitous street-hop song of 2024.

Nominees 
“Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez
“Dealer” – Ayo Maff (ft. Fireboy DML)
“Cast” – Shallipopi (ft. Odumodublvck)
“Johnbull” – Zhus Jdo
“Ask About Me” – Mohbad

Album of the Year

(Founder/CEO, Afrobeats Intelligence)
Predicted Winner: HEIS – Rema

Why: It’s the best album sonically. And it also holds the most significance for the culture. It delivers in the experience department, and knocks the symbolism out of the park.

Nominees
Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
The Year I turned 21 – Ayra Starr
HEIS – Rema
Born In the Wild – Tems

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