The biggest music award event in Nigeria made a grand return after two years of hosting in Atlanta, United States.
This edition is the first of two ceremonies planned for 2025, with the 18th Headies Awards scheduled for December, compensating for the event’s absence in 2024.
The highly anticipated night celebrated musical talents across Nigeria and Africa in 31 categories.
Rema won Afrobeats Album of the Year for his project HEIS, while Tems took home Best Recording of the Year for her soulful track Burning.
Davido clinched Digital Artiste of the Year, reaffirming his dominance in the digital music space.
Zerry DL, brother of breakout star Shallipopi, was crowned as Rookie of the Year, marking a significant feat in his rising career.
Among the major highlights and most anticipated category, Odumodublvck emerged as the coveted Next Rated Artist, beating out strong contenders like Shallipopi, Qing Madi, and Ayo Maff.
Returning to Nigeria, the 17th Headies Awards featured 31 competitive categories, including Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Recording of the Year, alongside multiple special awards.
The star-studded event drew key figures from entertainment and politics, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was honoured with a prestigious Special Recognition Award for his contributions to the music and creative industries.
Other Special Recognition recipients included Alex Okosi and Amaju Pinnick.
This 17th edition of the Headies also debuted two new categories — “Soundtrack of the Year” and “Best Performer (Live)” — broadening the range of honours for artistic contributions to the industry.
Filmmaker Funke Akindele’s record-breaking 2023 movie, A Tribe Called Judah, clinched the inaugural “Soundtrack of the Year” award.
The award event also welcomed a host of high-profile guests such as Tanzanian singer Juma Jux and his wife Priscilla, actress Nancy Isime, Bamike Olawunmi-Adenibuyan (BamBam), Cubana Chief Priest, Big Brother Naija 2021 winner White Money and many more.
Other notable attendees included Mavins Records’ boss Don Jazzy and Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso.
Themed “Back to Base” and “Apologetically African,” the edition celebrated achievements in African music within the eligibility window of April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024.
