17th Headies Awards: The Complete List of Nominees

 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. According to executive producer Ayo Animashaun, two award ceremonies will be held in 2025: the 17th edition, which was postponed last year, will take place on April 5, while the 18th edition is scheduled for December.

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.

Next Rated

Qing Madi

Odumodu Blvck

ShalliPopi 

Ayo Maff

Nasboi

Rookie of the Year

Zerry DL 

taves 

Kaestyle

Llona

Best Recording of the Year

“Burning” — Tems

“Different Patterns” — Seyi Vibez

“Higher” — Burna Boy

“Last Heartbreak Song” — Ayra Starr & Giveon

“Billions” — Sarz featuring Lojay

Producer of the Year

“Happiness” — Sarz

“OZEBA” — London

“Basquiat” — Magicsticks 

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

“Different Patterns” — Dibs

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 featuring Giveon

Best Rap Single 

“Cast” — Shallipopi featuring OdumoduBlvck 

“Blood On the Dance Floor” — OdumoduBlvck featuring Bloody Civilian and Wale

“Hallelujah” — Ladipoe featuring 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

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 featuring Asa

“Blood On the Dance Floor” — OdumoduBlvck featuring Bloody Civilian and Wale

“Cast” — Shallipopi featuring OdumoduBlvck

“Egwu” — Chike featuring Mohbad

“Ole” — Qing Madi featuring BNXM

“Twe Twe (Remix)” — Kizz Daniel featuring Davido

“IDK” — Wizkid featuring 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

Lyricist on the Roll

“Efeleme” – Alpha Ojini

“Mogadishu” – A-Q

“Chocolate City Cypher” – M.I Abaga

“Chocolate City Cypher” – Blaqbonez

“Hallelujah” – Ladipoe

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

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)

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)