17th Headies Awards: Zerry DL, Davido, Rema, Tems shine bright in Lagos(FULL LIST)

The 17th edition of the prestigious Headies Awards lit up Lagos on Sunday, celebrating the best of Nigerian and African music talent.

Emerging star Zerry DL clinched the coveted Rookie of the Year award, marking a major milestone in his rising career. Superstar Davido continued his dominance in the digital space, winning Digital Artist of the Year, while global sensation Rema took home Afrobeats Album of the Year for his acclaimed project HEIS.

Tems, known for her soulful and powerful sound, won Best Recording of the Year for her hit song Burning, further cementing her status as one of Nigeria’s most remarkable voices.

The night also saw Special Recognition Awards presented to notable personalities for their contributions beyond music, with Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, media executive Alex Okosi, and sports administrator Amaju Pinnick all being honoured.

In a highlight moment, Odumodublvck was crowned the Next Rated Artist, beating fellow nominees Shallipopi, Qing Madi, and Ayo Maff.

The Headies Awards is a premier music award platform that celebrates outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.

This year’s event is one of two editions, with the 18th edition scheduled to take place in December to make up for the absence of the awards in 2024.

Here is the full list of winners at the 17th Headies Awards:

Rookie of the Year

Zerry DL — Winner

taves

Kaestyle

Llona

Soundtrack of the Year

“Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack” – TCJ and Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack) — Winner

“Eledumare” – Teledalase (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)

“Lose to Gain” – Kaline (Breathe of Life)

“Kill Boro” – Native Filmworks and Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)

“Orisa” – Beriola (Orisa)

“Emotions” – Tiwa Savage and Asa (Water and Garri)

Best Recording of the Year

“Burning” – Tems — Winner

“Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez

“Higher” – Burna Boy

“Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr and Giveon

“Billions” – Sarz and Lojay

Best Vocal Performance (Male)

“Billions” – Lojay — Winner

“Moving” – Omah Lay

“Gratitude” – Anendlessocean

“For You” – Johnny Drille

“Ke Na Ke So” – Timi Dakolo

Best Vocal Performance (Female)

“I’m Done” – Liya — Winner

“Last Song Heartbreak” – Ayra Starr

“Level” – Niniola

“Stranger” – Simi

“Tomorrow” – Yemi Alade

Special Recognition Award Recipients

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos

Alex Okosi

Amaju Pinnick

Songwriter of the Year

“Vision” – Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi) — Winner

“Stranger” – Simisola Kosoko (Simi)

“Can’t Breathe” – Michael Ajuma Attah (Llona)

“Family Meeting” – Emoseh Khamofu (Bloody Civilian)

“Stages of Life” – Fuayefika Maxwell (Wizard Chan)

Producer of the Year

“OZEBA” – London — Winner

“Happiness” – Sarz

“Basquiat” – Magicsticks

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

“Different Patterns” – Dibs

Afrobeats Album of the Year

HEIS – Rema — Winner

Stubborn – Victony

Work of Art – Asake

The Year I turned 21 – Ayra Starr

Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn

Music Video of the Year

“EGWU” – Director Pink — Winner

“Charm” – Rema, Perliks and Folarin Oludare

“Metaverse” – Jyde Ajala

“Like Ice Spice” – Perliks and Emeka Shine Shine

“Ojapiano” – Mattmax

“Showa” – TG Omori

“Na Money” – Dammy Twitch

Afrobeats Single of the Year

“Big Baller” – Flavour — Winner

“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)

Headies’ Viewers’ Choice

“Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad — Winner

“Big Baller” – Flavour

“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (ft. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)

“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (ft. Davido)

“Showa” – Kizz Daniel

“Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez

“OZEBA” – Rema

“Love Me Jeje” – Tems

“Cast” – Shallipopi (ft. Odumodublvck)

“Dealer” – Ayo Maff (ft. Fireboy DML)

Best Central African Artiste of the Year

Innoss’B (DRC) – Winner

Gaz Mawete (DRC)

Emma’A (Gabon)

Ebokolo (Gabon)

Singulila (Central African Republic)

Koceé (Cameroon)

Next Rated

Odumodublvck – Winner

Qing Madi

Shallipopi

Ayo Maff

Digital Artiste of the Year

Davido- Winner

Ayra Starr

Rema

Shallipopi

Tems

Kizz Daniel

Asake

Best Rap Single

Cast – Shallipopi and Odumodublvck – Winner

Blood on the dance floor – Bloody Civilian, Wale and Odumodu Blvck

Hallelujah – Ladipoe, Rozzz, and Morello

Canada – Magnito

Ije Nwoke – Jeriq

Best East African Artiste of the Year

Juma Jux (Tanzania) – Winner

Bien (Kenya)

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Bruce Melody (Rwanda)

Azawi (Uganda)

Best Street-hop artiste

Mohbad – Ask About me – Winner

Zhus Jdo – Johnbull

Seyi Vibez – Different Patterns

Ayo Maff – Dealer ft (Fire Boy)

Shallipopi – Cast ft (Odumodu Blvck

Song of the Year

Lonely at the Top – Asake – Winner

Egwu – Chike and Mohbad

Ozeba – Rema

Showa – Kizz Daniel

Commas – Ayra Starr

Special Recognition

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