Rema continued his remarkable run, winning the coveted Afrobeats Album of the Year award for his project HEIS, while also seeing his hit song “OZEBA” help London snag the Producer of the Year award. The young star was a crowd favourite, with fans celebrating his consistent dominance in the global Afrobeats scene.
Flavour’s “Big Baller” was crowned Afrobeats Single of the Year, further cementing his legendary status in the industry. The singer also enjoyed a huge night on social media, where fans lauded the energy he brought to the event.
Davido was named Best Digital Artiste of the Year, a fitting reward for his immense influence across streaming platforms and online communities. His collaborative track “Ogechi Remix,” alongside Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel, also received multiple nominations.
The ceremony, which lit up social media with hashtags like #TheHeadies and #Headies2025 trending all night, featured star-studded appearances from entertainers, politicians, and influencers. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was among the high-profile guests spotted at the event, alongside actors, musicians, and socialites.
In addition to celebrating musical excellence, the Headies honoured individuals with Special Recognition and Humanitarian Awards, including Sanwo-Olu, Alex Okosi, and Amaju Pinnick.
Odumodublvck emerged as the winner of the fiercely contested Next Rated category, while Juma Jux from Tanzania picked up the Best East African Artiste award.
The 17th Headies Awards once again affirmed its place as the premier event for recognising and celebrating African music talent.
The 17th edition of the prestigious Headies Awards, tagged ‘Back to Base,’ was held on Sunday at the Landmark Event Centre, Lekki, marking a vibrant return to Nigeria after two years abroad. The ceremony was hosted by the dynamic duo of actress and media personality Nancy Isime and veteran broadcaster IK Osakioduwa, who brought charisma, humour, and energy to the stage.
It was a night dedicated to celebrating outstanding achievements across the Nigerian and African music industries, recognising artists, producers, and creatives who have made remarkable contributions over the past year.
The night was further enlivened by electrifying performances from some of the continent’s brightest stars, including Qing Madi, L.A.X, Odumodublvck, Kcee, Shallipopi, Flavour, Juma Jux, Nasboi, Magnito, and more.
Tanzanian singer Juma Jux enjoyed a memorable night, taking home the award for Best East African Artiste of the Year, triumphing over other notable nominees such as Bien (Kenya), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Bruce Melodie (Rwanda), and Azawi (Uganda). He also thrilled the audience with a captivating live performance.
One of the night’s most emotional highlights was the presentation of the Special Recognition Award to Limpopo master, Kcee. The accolade honoured his enduring contributions to the Nigerian music industry, his cultural impact, and his impressive artistic evolution over the past 26 years.
In a deeply moving moment, the late Mohbad was posthumously honoured with the Best Street-Hop Artiste award for his hit single “Ask About Me.” His family—including his wife and young son, Liam—accepted the award on his behalf, receiving a standing ovation from the audience. The ceremony also featured a heartfelt tribute, celebrating Mohbad’s profound impact on the music industry and the legacy he left behind.
In addition to his win, Mohbad earned multiple posthumous nominations, including Best Collaboration for “Egwu” with Chike and Afrobeats Single of the Year for the same track.
These nominations and his posthumous recognition underscore the enduring resonance of his music and the irreplaceable void his passing has left in the industry.
There was mild drama when the organisers of the event stylishly requested Odumodublvck, who won the Next Rated category, to leave the stage while he was giving a long speech after receiving his award.
The celebrated rapper, who stormed the stage with his mom and an entourage of friends and record label team, blatantly refused to leave the stage until the organisers eventually switched on his microphone, which was initially switched off, and allowed him to finish his speech.
See full list of winners below:
Best Recording of the Year
Tems – “Burning” — Winner
Burna Boy – “Higher”
Ayra Starr & Giveon – “Last Heartbreak Song”
Sarz feat. Lojay – “Billions”
Producer of the Year
Sarz – “Happiness”
London – “Ozeba” — Winner
Magicsticks – “Basquiat”
Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Klimperboy – “Hehehe”
Dibs – “Different Pattern”
Next Rated
Qing Madi
Shallipopi
Odumodublvck — Winner
Ayo Maff
Nasboi
Afrobeats Album of the Year
Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
HEIS – Rema — Winner
Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn
Songwriter of the Year
Simi – “Stranger”
Qing Madi – “Vision” — Winner
Llona – “Can’t Breathe”
Bloody Civilian – “Family Meeting”
Wizard Chan – “Stages of Life”
Rookie of the Year
Llona
Kaestyle
Taves
Zerrydl — Winner
Best Rap Single
Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – “Cast” — Winner
Odumodublvck feat. Bloody Civilian & Wale – “Blood on the Dance Floor”
Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morrelo – “Hallelujah”
Magnito – “Canada”
Jeriq – “Ije Nwoke”
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song”
Niniola – “Level”
Simi – “Stranger”
Liya – “I’m Done” — Winner
Yemi Alade – “Tomorrow”
Music Video of the Year
Rema – “Charm” (Dir. Perliks & Folarin Oludare)
Jyde Ajala – “Metaverse”
Perliks & Emeka – “Shine Shine”
Mattmax – “Ojapiano”
Director Pink – “Egwu” — Winner
TG Omori – “Showa”
Dammy Twitch – “Na Money”
Best Street-Hop Artiste
Seyi Vibez – “Different Pattern”
Ayo Maff feat. Fireboy DML – “Dealer”
Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – “Cast”
Zhus Jdo – “Johnbull”
Mohbad – “Ask About Me” — Winner
Afrobeats Single of the Year
Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – “Big Big Things”
Kizz Daniel – “Twe Twe Remix”
Chike feat. Mohbad – “Egwu”
Asake – “Remember”
Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido – “Ogechi Remix”
Flavour – “Big Baller” — Winner
Viewers’ Choice Award
Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – “Big Big Things”
Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido – “Ogechi Remix”
Chike & Mohbad – “Egwu” — Winner
Rema – “Ozeba”
Seyi Vibez – “Different Pattern”
Kizz Daniel – “Showa”
Tems – “Love Me Jeje”
Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – “Cast”
Flavour feat. Fireboy – “Dealer”
Flavour – “Big Baller”
Digital Artiste of the Year
Ayra Starr
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Davido — Winner
Kizz Daniel
Asake
Song of the Year
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel
“Commas” – Ayra Starr
“Egwu” – Chike and Mohbad
“Lonely at the Top” – Asake — Winner
“Ozeba” – Rema
“Big Baller” – Flavour
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
Lojay – “Billions” — Winner
Best Movie Soundtrack
A Tribe Called Judah — Winner
Special Recognition Awards
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor
Alex Okosi
Amaju Pinnick
Kcee
Humanitarian Awards
Temitola Adekunle Johnson
Mitchell Mukoro
Best East African Artiste
Bien (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Juma Jux (Tanzania) — Winner
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
Azawi (Uganda)
Best Central African Artiste
Innoss’B (DRC) — Winner
Gaz Mawete (DRC)
Emma’A (Gabon)
Eboloko (Gabon)
Singuila (Central African Republic)
Kocee (Cameroon)
The Headies Awards 2025 was a night of glitz, glamour, and powerful recognition — a true testament to the vibrant evolution of African music.
