NIGERIA: Davido, Rema, Odumodublvck Among Big Winners at the 17th Headies Awards

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The 17th Headies Awards, one of Nigeria’s biggest music award, took place on Sunday in Lagos, Nigeria, honoring outstanding achievements in the Nigerian and African music industries.

This year’s event featured numerous stars claiming top honors across a variety of categories and special recognitions to distinguished personalities such as the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Alex Okosi, and Amaju Pinnick.

Among the standout winners was Zerry DL, who took home the coveted “Rookie of the Year” award, Davido was named “Digital Artist of the Year”, Rema secured the “Afrobeats Album of the Year” for his critically acclaimed project “HEIS”, while “Tems” earned “Best Recording of the Year” for her song “Burning,” cementing her status as a global force in music.

One of the evening’s biggest moments came when “Odumodublvck” was named “Next Rated Artist”, edging out fellow nominees “Shallipopi”, “Qing Madi”, and “Ayo Maff”.

This year’s awards also recognized notable achievements in a wide range of categories. “Lojay” was named “Best Vocal Performance (Male)” for his track “Billions,” while “Liya” won “Best Vocal Performance (Female)” for “I’m Done.” The highly competitive “Best Rap Single” category was awarded to “Shallipopi” and “Odumodublvck” for their collaboration on “Cast.”

The night also highlighted the continued rise of Afrobeats on the global stage, with “Flavour” taking home “Afrobeats Single of the Year” for his hit song “Big Baller.” Additionally, the “Headies’ Viewers’ Choice” award, voted by fans, went to “Chike” and the late “Mohbad” for their hit song “Egwu.”

The Headies, which celebrates excellence in African music, also announced that this year’s edition would be one of two, with the 18th edition scheduled for December to compensate for the absence of the awards in 2024.

Below is the full list of winners from the 17th Headies Awards:

– Rookie of the Year: Zerry DL

– Best Recording of the Year: “Burning” – Tems

– Best Vocal Performance (Male): “Billions” – Lojay

– Best Vocal Performance (Female): “I’m Done” – Liya

– Special Recognition Award: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Alex Okosi, Amaju Pinnick

– Song of the Year; “Lonely at the Top” – Asake

– Afrobeats Album of the Year: “HEIS” – Rema

– Best Rap Single: “Cast” – Shallipopi & Odumodublvck

– Next Rated Artist: Odumodublvck

– Digital Artist of the Year: Davido

– Afrobeats Single of theYear: “Big Baller” – Flavour