The most-anticipated nominations list of the year is here, and not without mouth-gaping surprises! Nigeria’s most prestigious award show, the Headies is set to hit the screens this April, after its hiatus from the country. Things just got interesting, as the nominations list reveals that “CAST” rapper, Odumodublvck is already in the lead with five nominations in a highly competitive lineup of artists. An even more intriguing twist is the appearance of the late Mohbad’s name in three categories.
Earlier this week, iNaijaNow shared a post about Ayra Starr’s cancellation saga resulting from her now-deleted dance video for Naira Marley’s “I’m Back” single. The “Last Heartbreak Song” crooner has emerged as one of the top artists on the Headies nominations list. This is alongside Shalipoppi, who has three mentions on the competitive list.
In the announcement post for the nominations, the Headies had stated that “Only music materials including singles, videos, video live recordings, EPs & albums, released and distributed on digital streaming platforms, & physical music media within the year in review (April 1, 2023, & July 31, 2024) were considered for nomination“. Therefore, this explains the absence of some recently released records from the list.
Nonetheless, the 17th edition of the Headies will remain fiercely competitive and suspense-filled. It’s the celebration of Afrobeat’s best talent. The list of artists in this category shows that we should be ready for a show!
Afrobeats Single of the Year
- Big Big Things – Young John ft Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez
- Twe Twe remix – Kizz Daniel ft Davido
- Egwu – Chike ft Mohbad
- Remember – Asake
- Ogechi remix – Hyce, Boypee and Brown Joel ft Davido
- Big Baller – Flavour
Also, when world-class artists converge to bag the ‘Artist of the Year’ award, you know it’s about to go down.
Artist of the Year
- Davido
- Ayra Starr
- Rema
- Tems
- Burna Boy
If there’s one thing that distinguishes Nigerian female musicians, it is their unique vocals, complemented by the gripping lyrics. But who will win this battle? So, in the female category, Yemi Alade, Simi, Tems, Ayra Starr and Liya all vie for the award of Best Vocal Performance with these songs:
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
- Ayra Star – Last Heartbreak Song
- Niniola – Level
- Simi – Stranger
- Liya – I’m Done
- Yemi Alade – Tomorrow
Another category you want to look out for is “Best Collaboration”. The past two years have been a festival of collaborations between Nigerian artists. Now, the Headies wants you to decide which one is the best between these:
Best Collaboration
- Emotions – Tiwa Savage ft Asa
- Blood on the dance floor – Odumodu Blvck, Bloody Civilian and Wale
- Cast – Shallipopi ft Odumodu Blvck
- Egwu – Chike ft Mohbad
- Ole – Qing Madi ft Bnxn
- Twe Twe remix – Kizz Daniel ft Davido
- IDK – Wizkid ft Zlatan
The Best R&B Single is another category that holds some of the industry’s best, including:
Best R&B single
- Qing Madi – Vision
- Jonny Drille – For You
- Simi – Stranger
- Tems – Burning
- Ayra Star – Last Heartbreak Song ft Giveon
Additionally, the list pits new cat on the block, Kaestyles, and others in the same category of:
Rookie of the Year
- Zerry DL
- Taves
- Kaestyles
- Llona
Here is the Full Nominations List:
Music Video of the Year
- Charm – Rema, Oerlinks and Folarin Oludare
- Metaverse – Jyde Ajala
- Like Ice Spice – Perlinks and Emeka Shine Shine
- Ojapiano – Mattmax
- Egwu – Director Pink
- Showa – TG Omori
- Na Money – Dammy Twitch
Best Rap Single
- Cast – Odumodu Blvck and Shallipopi
- Blood on the dance floor – Bloody Civilian, Wale and Odumodu Blvck
- Hallelujah – Ladipoe, Rozzz, and Morello
- Canada – Magnito
- Ije Nwoke – Jeriq
Songwriter of the Year
- Simisola Kosoko – Stranger (Simi)
- Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma – Vision (Qing Madi)
- Michael Ajuma Attah – Can’t Breathe (Llona)
- Emoseh Khamofu – Family Meeting (Bloody Civilian)
- Fuayefika Maxwell – Stages of Life (Wizard Chan)
Producer of the Year
- Sarz – Happiness
- London – Ozeba
- Magicsticks – Basquiat
- Rema/Producer X/Cubeats/Deatz/Klimperboy – Hehehe
- Dibs – Different Pattern
Best Recording of the Year
- Tems – Burning
- Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
- Burna Boy – Higher
- Ayra Star and Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
- Sarz and Lojay – Billions
Best Street-hop Artiste
- Seyi Vibez – Different Patterns
- Ayo Maff – Dealer ft (Fire Boy)
- Shallipopi – Cast ft (Odumodu Blvck)
- Zhus Jdo – Johnbull
- Mohbad – Ask About me
Lyricist on the Roll
- Mogadishu – AQ
- Chocolate City Cypher – MI Abaga
- Chocolate City Cypher – Blaqbonez
- Hallelujah – Ladipoe
- Efeleme – Alpha Ojini
Headies Next Rated
- Qing Madi
- Shallipopi
- Odumodublvck
- Ayo Maff
- Nasboi
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
