Headies Awards Winners Full List as Davido, Tems, Rema and Zerry DL Triumph at the 17th Headies Awards in Lagos.
The 17th edition of the Headies Awards returned to Nigeria on Sunday, April 27, 2025, celebrating outstanding musical achievements across 31 categories. After two years of staging the ceremony in Atlanta, United States, the biggest music awards show in Nigeria reclaimed its home turf at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos State.
This first of two ceremonies in 2025—preceding the December 18th event—compensated for the 2024 hiatus. From Afrobeats heavyweights to rising stars, the night highlighted the diversity and dynamism of the Nigerian and African music scenes.
Event Overview
- Date & Venue: April 27, 2025 at Eko Convention Centre, Lagos.
- Theme: “Back to Base” and “Apologetically African.”
- Eligibility Period: April 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024.
- Categories: 31 competitive awards plus special and humanitarian honours.
- Notable Guests: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Alex Okosi, Amaju Pinnick, Juma Jux, Nancy Isime, Don Jazzy, White Money, Cubana Chief Priest, and more.
Full List of Headies Awards Winners
Major Winners
Davido – Digital Artiste of the Year
Reinforcing his dominance in the streaming era, Davido clinched Digital Artiste of the Year, outpacing nominees Ayra Starr, Rema, Shallipopi and Tems.
Tems – Best Recording of the Year
For her soulful hit “Burning,” Tems took home Best Recording of the Year, highlighting her vocal prowess and production quality.
Rema – Afrobeats Album of the Year
With his acclaimed project HEIS, Rema secured Afrobeats Album of the Year, confirming his status as a leading voice in modern Afrobeats.
Zerry DL – Rookie of the Year
Zerry DL, brother of breakout star Shallipopi, delivered a standout debut and was crowned Rookie of the Year among rising talents like Taves and Kaestyle.
Odumodublvck – Next Rated
In a hotly contested category, Odumodublvck edged out Qing Madi, Shallipopi and Ayo Maff to win Next Rated Artist, the most anticipated award of the night.
New Categories Debut
The 17th Headies introduced two fresh awards:
- Soundtrack of the Year
– Winner: “A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack” by TCJ & Abbey Wonder - Best Performer (Live)
– Awarded for on-stage excellence across concerts and festivals
Filmmaker Funke Akindele’s record-breaking 2023 film A Tribe Called Judah also made history by claiming the inaugural Soundtrack of the Year.
Special and Humanitarian Recognition
Special Recognition Awards
Honouring contributions to music and creative industries:
- Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
- Alex Okosi
- Amaju Pinnick
Humanitarian Awards
Celebrating impactful social initiatives by artists:
- Temitola Adekunle Johnson
- Michelle Mukoro (King Mitchy)
Headies Awards Full List of Competitive Winners
Rookie of the Year
- Winner: Zerry DL
- Nominees: Taves • Kaestyle • Llona
Best Recording of the Year
- Winner: “Burning” – Tems
- Nominees: “Different Patterns” (Seyi Vibez) • “Higher” (Burna Boy) • “Last Heartbreak Song” (Ayra Starr & Giveon) • “Billions” (Sarz & Lojay)
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
- Winner: “Billions” – Lojay
- Nominees: Omah Lay • Anendlessocean • Johnny Drille • Timi Dakolo
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
- Winner: “I’m Done” – Liya
- Nominees: Ayra Starr • Niniola • Simi • Yemi Alade
Next Rated
- Winner: Odumodublvck
- Nominees: Qing Madi • Shallipopi • Ayo Maff
Song of the Year
- Winner: “Lonely at the Top” – Asake
- Nominees: Chike & Mohbad • Rema • Kizz Daniel • Ayra Starr
Afrobeats Single of the Year
- Winner: “Big Baller” – Flavour
- Nominees: Young Jonn • Kizz Daniel • Chike & Mohbad • Asake • Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
Producer of the Year
- Winner: London (“OZEBA” – Rema)
- Nominees: Sarz • Magicsticks • Producer X & Co. • Dibs
Afrobeats Album of the Year
- Winner: HEIS – Rema
- Nominees: Victony • Asake • Ayra Starr • Young Jonn
Music Video of the Year
- Winner: “EGWU” – Directed by Pink
- Nominees: Rema • Jyde Ajala • Perliks & Emeka Shine Shine • Mattmax • TG Omori • Dammy Twitch
Songwriter of the Year
- Winner: “Vision” – Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi)
- Nominees:
- “Stranger” – Simisola Kosoko (Simi)
- “Can’t Breathe” – Michael Ajuma Attah (Llona)
- “Family Meeting” – Emoseh Khamofu (Bloody Civilian)
- “Stages of Life” – Fuayefika Maxwell (Wizard Chan)
Headies’ Viewers’ Choice
- Winner: “Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad
- Nominees:
- “Big Baller” – Flavour
- “Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez)
- “Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
- “Showa” – Kizz Daniel
- “Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez
- “OZEBA” – Rema
- “Love Me Jeje” – Tems
- “Cast” – Shallipopi (feat. Odumodublvck)
- “Dealer” – Ayo Maff (feat. Fireboy DML)
Best Rap Single
- Winner: “Cast” – Shallipopi & Odumodublvck
- Nominees:
- “Blood on the Dance Floor” – Bloody Civilian, Wale & Odumodublvck
- “Hallelujah” – Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morello
- “Canada” – Magnito
- “Ije Nwoke” – Jeriq
Best Street-Hop Artiste
- Winner: Mohbad – “Ask About Me”
- Nominees:
- Zhus Jdo – “Johnbull”
- Seyi Vibez – “Different Patterns”
- Ayo Maff – “Dealer” (feat. Fireboy DML)
- Shallipopi – “Cast” (feat. Odumodublvck)
Digital Artiste of the Year
- Winner: Davido
- Nominees: Ayra Starr; Rema; Shallipopi; Tems; Kizz Daniel; Asake
Best Central African Artiste of the Year
- Winner: Innoss’B (DRC)
- Nominees:
- Gaz Mawete (DRC)
- Emma’A (Gabon)
- Ebokolo (Gabon)
- Singuila (Central African Republic)
- Koceé (Cameroon)
Best East African Artiste of the Year
- Winner: Juma Jux (Tanzania)
- Nominees:
- Bien (Kenya)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Bruce Melody (Rwanda)
- Azawi (Uganda)
Special Recognition
- Recipient: KCee
Impact and Significance
The 17th Headies Awards not only honoured chart-topping artists but also spotlighted emerging talent and behind-the-scenes contributors. By introducing Soundtrack of the Year and Best Performer (Live), the organizers underscored the evolving influence of film and live music experiences in Africa’s creative ecosystem.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Special Recognition Award highlighted the critical role of government support in sustaining cultural industries, while humanitarian honours emphasised artists’ commitment to social change.
As the curtain fell on Lagos, anticipation now builds for the 18th Headies in December 2025—promising another landmark celebration of African music excellence.
