The 17th edition of the Headies Awards was a night of glitz, glamour, and surprises! Held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, on Sunday, April 27, 2025, the event celebrated the best in African music. After two years in Atlanta, USA, the Headies made a triumphant return home, themed “Back to Base” and “Apologetically African.”
However, the night wasn’t without its hitches, with reports of disorganization and technical issues. Despite the challenges, several artists walked away with prestigious awards. Let’s dive into the full list of winners and the highlights of the evening.
Key Highlights of the 17th Headies Awards:
- The Headies returned to Nigeria after two years in Atlanta.
- New categories were introduced, including Soundtrack of the Year and Best Performer (Live).
- Funke Akindele’s “A Tribe Called Judah” won Soundtrack of the Year.
- Odumodublvck was a big winner, taking home both Artiste of the Year and Next Rated.
- The event faced criticism for poor time management and technical difficulties.
The Big Winners of the Night
Here are some of the top awards and the artists who claimed them:
- Artiste of the Year: Odumodublvck
- Rookie of the Year: Zerry DL
- Next Rated: Odumodublvck
- Song of the Year: Lonely at the Top – Asake
- Afrobeats Album of the Year: ‘HEIS’ – Rema
- Digital Artiste of the Year: Davido
New Categories Shine
This year’s Headies introduced two exciting new categories, recognizing different aspects of musical excellence:
- Soundtrack of the Year: A Tribe Called Judah (Abbey Wonder & TCJ) – Funke Akindele’s blockbuster movie took home this inaugural award.
- Best Performer (Live): This award was not announced during the live show due to the event’s abrupt ending.
Controversies and Challenges
The 17th Headies Awards weren’t without their share of problems. Reports surfaced about poor time management and technical issues, leading to the show being cut short. Several major awards, including Best R&B Single and Best Performer (Live), were not announced during the live broadcast.
Full List of Winners
Here’s a complete list of the winners who were announced:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Recording of the Year | Tems: Burning |
| Best Vocal Performance (Male) | “Billions” – Lojay |
| Best Vocal Performance (Female) | Liya – I’m Done |
| Artiste of the Year | Odumodublvck |
| Rookie of the Year | Zerry DL |
| Next Rated | Odumodublvck |
| Songwriter of the Year | Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma: Vision (Qing Madi) |
| Song of the Year | Lonely at the Top – Asake |
| Music Video of the Year | Egwu: Director Pink |
| Best Street-hop Artiste | Mohbad: Ask About Me |
| Best R&B single | Big Baller: Flavour |
| Afrobeats Album of the Year | ‘HEIS’ – Rema |
| Viewers’ Choice Award | Chike & Mohbad – Egwu |
| Best Rap Single | Cast: Shallipopi and Odumodublvck |
| Producer of the Year | Ozeba: London |
| Digital Artiste of the Year | Davido |
| Soundtrack of the Year | A Tribe Called Judah (Abbey Wonder & TCJ) |
| Best East African Artiste of the Year | Juma Jux (Tanzania) |
| Best Central African Artiste of the Year | Innoss’B (DRC) |
Special Recognition and Humanitarian Awards
The Headies also honored individuals for their contributions to society and the music industry:
- Special Recognition Awards: Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State Governor), Alex Okosi, Amaju Pinnick, Kcee
- Humanitarian Awards: Temitola Adekunle Johnson, Mitchell Mukoro
The Night’s Legacy
Despite some organizational setbacks, the 17th Headies Awards celebrated the incredible talent and growth of African music. From established stars to rising rookies, the event showcased the diversity and vibrancy of the continent’s music scene. As the Headies continue to evolve, it remains a crucial platform for recognizing and promoting African artists on a global stage.
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