The 17th edition of the Headies Awards took place on Sunday, 27 April 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos. It celebrated the brightest stars in the music industry. Major winners on the night included Zerry DL, Tems, Flavour, Rema, and Davido.
The star-studded ceremony attracted notable figures from entertainment and politics, including the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Other personalities spotted on the red carpet included Tanzanian singer Juma Jux and his wife, Priscilla, actress Nancy Isime, Bamike Olawunmi-Adenibuyan (BamBam), socialite Cubana Chief Priest, and Big Brother Naija 2021 winner, White Money.
Further distinguished guests included Collins Enebeli Ajereh, father of Mavin Records’ boss Don Jazzy, and Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotoso.
Here is the full list of winners at the 17th Headies Awards:
Rookie of the Year
- Winner: Zerry DL
- Nominees: Taves, Kaestyle, Llona
Soundtrack of the Year
- Winner: “Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack” – TCJ and Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack)
- Nominees: “Eledumare” – Teledalase, “Lose to Gain” – Kaline, “Kill Boro” – Native Filmworks and Wizard Chan, “Orisa” – Beriola, “Emotions” – Tiwa Savage and Asa
Best Recording of the Year
- Winner: “Burning” – Tems
- Nominees: “Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez, “Higher” – Burna Boy, “Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr and Giveon, “Billions” – Sarz and Lojay
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
- Winner: “Billions” – Lojay
- Nominees: “Moving” – Omah Lay, “Gratitude” – Anendlessocean, “For You” – Johnny Drille, “Ke Na Ke So” – Timi Dakolo
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
- Winner: “I’m Done” – Liya
- Nominees: “Last Song Heartbreak” – Ayra Starr, “Level” – Niniola, “Stranger” – Simi, “Tomorrow” – Yemi Alade
Special Recognition Awards
- Recipients: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Alex Okosi, Amaju Pinnick
Songwriter of the Year
- Winner: “Vision” – Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi)
- Nominees: “Stranger” – Simisola Kosoko (Simi), “Can’t Breathe” – Michael Ajuma Attah (Llona), “Family Meeting” – Emoseh Khamofu (Bloody Civilian), “Stages of Life” – Fuayefika Maxwell (Wizard Chan)
Humanitarian Awards
- Recipients: Temitola Adekunle Johnson, Michelle Mukoro (King Mitchy)
Producer of the Year
- Winner: “OZEBA” – London
- Nominees: “Happiness” – Sarz, “Basquiat” – Magicsticks, “HEHEHE” – Rema, Producer X, Cubeatz, Deatz and Klimperboy, “Different Patterns” – Dibs
Afrobeats Album of the Year
- Winner: HEIS – Rema
- Nominees: Stubborn – Victony, Work of Art – Asake, The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr, Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn
Music Video of the Year
- Winner: “EGWU” – Director Pink
- Nominees: “Charm” – Rema, “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
- Winner: “Big Baller” – Flavour
- Nominees: “Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (featuring Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez), “Twe Twe Remix” – Kizz Daniel, “Egwu” – Chike (featuring Mohbad), “Remember” – Asake, “Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee and Brown Joel (featuring Davido)
Headies’ Viewers’ Choice Award
- Winner: “Egwu” – Chike and Mohbad
- Nominees: “Big Baller” – Flavour, “Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (featuring Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez), “Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee and Brown Joel (featuring Davido), “Showa” – Kizz Daniel, “Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez, “OZEBA” – Rema, “Love Me Jeje” – Tems, “Cast” – Shallipopi (featuring Odumodublvck), “Dealer” – Ayo Maff (featuring Fireboy DML)
Next Rated Award
- Winner: Odumodublvck
- Nominees: Qing Madi, Shallipopi, Ayo Maff, Nasboi
Best Digital Artiste of the Year
- Winner: Davido
- Nominees: Ayra Starr, Rema, Shallipopi, Tems, Kizz Daniel, Asake
Best East African Artiste of the Year
- Winner: Juma Jux (Tanzania)
- Nominees: Bien (Kenya), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Bruce Melodie (Rwanda), Azawi (Uganda)
