By The 17th edition of the Headies Awards returned to Nigeria with a grand ceremony in Lagos on Sunday, celebrating Africa’s top music talents after two years of hosting in Atlanta, United States.
In a night filled with glamour and major wins across 31 categories, Afrobeats stars Davido, Tems, Rema, and rising talent Zerry DL stood out.
Rema secured the Afrobeats Album of the Year award for HEIS, while Tems won Best Recording of the Year for her soulful track Burning. Davido was named Digital Artiste of the Year, reinforcing his dominance in the online music space. Zerry DL, the younger brother of Shallipopi, was crowned Rookie of the Year.
Odumodublvck clinched the highly competitive Next Rated award, triumphing over Shallipopi, Qing Madi, and Ayo Maff.
This year’s ceremony, themed “Back to Base” and “Apologetically African,” also debuted two new categories: Soundtrack of the Year and Best Performer (Live). Filmmaker Funke Akindele’s blockbuster A Tribe Called Judah took home the first-ever Soundtrack of the Year award.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was honoured with a Special Recognition Award for his support of the creative industries, alongside Alex Okosi and Amaju Pinnick.
High-profile attendees included Don Jazzy, actress Nancy Isime, Big Brother Naija star White Money, Cubana Chief Priest, Tanzanian singer Juma Jux and wife Priscilla, among others.
The 17th Headies Awards covered music released between April 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024. A second 2025 ceremony—the 18th Headies—is already scheduled for December to make up for the missed 2024 edition.
