Headies Awards 2025: Davido, Rema, Asake, Tems, and Late MohBad Honoured in Lagos

The 17th edition of the prestigious Headies Awards unfolded last night at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, in a dazzling ceremony celebrating the pinnacle of Nigerian musical talent and its burgeoning global influence. Under the theme “Back 2 Base,” the event marked a triumphant return to Nigerian soil after a two-year stint in Atlanta.

The evening saw a constellation of stars recognized for their outstanding achievements. Global superstar Davido added another feather to his cap, securing the Digital Artiste of the Year award, a testament to his commanding online presence and impactful digital footprint.

Afrobeats sensation Rema continued his stellar run, with his critically acclaimed album “HEIS” clinching the coveted Afrobeats Album of the Year award, lauded for its innovative soundscapes and widespread international appeal. Fellow Afrobeats heavyweight Asake walked away with the Song of the Year award for his chart-topping hit track, solidifying his position as a leading voice in the genre.

The highly anticipated Next Rated category saw the dynamic ODUMODUBLVCK emerge victorious, a clear indication of his rapidly rising star power and promising future within the industry. Zerry DL was also celebrated as the year’s most promising newcomer, taking home the Rookie of the Year award.

The exceptionally talented Tems was recognized for her vocal prowess, winning the Best Vocal Performance (Female) award for her soulful delivery and the profound emotional depth showcased in her recent releases.

In a poignant moment, the late, beloved artist MohBad was posthumously honoured with the Best Street-Hop Artiste award, among other accolades, a heartfelt tribute to his enduring musical legacy and significant contributions to the genre.

Organizers emphasized the eligibility criteria for this year’s awards, stating that only music materials – including singles, videos, live recordings, EPs, and albums – released and distributed on digital streaming platforms or physical media between April 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024, were considered for nomination and selection.

The Headies 2025, with its “Back 2 Base” theme, not only celebrated the immense talent within Nigeria but also underscored the remarkable global impact of Afrobeats, bringing together the industry’s finest for a night of recognition and vibrant celebration.

Check out the full winners list below:

Next Rated

Qing Madi
Shallipopi
Odumodublvck — WINNER
Ayo Maff
Nasboi

Rookie of the Year

Llona
Kaestyle
Taves
Zerrydl — WINNER

Best Recording of the Year

Tems – Burning — WINNER
Burna Boy – Higher
Ayra Starr & Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
Sarz feat. Lojay – Billions

Digital Artiste of the Year

Ayra Starr
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Davido — WINNER
Kizz Daniel
Asake

Song of the Year

Showa – Kizz Daniel
Commas – Ayra Starr
Egwu – Chike and Mohbad
Lonely at the Top – Asake — WINNER
Ozeba – Rema
Big Baller – Flavour

Producer of the Year

Sarz – Happiness
London – Ozeba — WINNER
Magicsticks – Basquiat
Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Klimperboy – Hehehe
Dibs – Different Pattern

Afrobeats Single of the Year

Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – Big Big Things
Kizz Daniel – Twe Twe Remix
Chike feat. Mohbad – Egwu
Asake – Remember
Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido – Ogechi Remix
Flavour – Big Baller — WINNER

Afrobeats Album of the Year

Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
Heis – Rema — WINNER
Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn

Songwriter of the Year

Simi – Stranger
Qing Madi – Vision — WINNER
Llona – Can’t Breathe
Bloody Civilian – Family Meeting
Wizard Chan – Stages of Life

Best Rap Single

Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast — WINNER
Odumodublvck feat. Bloody Civilian & Wale – Blood on the Dance Floor
Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morrelo – Hallelujah
Magnito – Canada
Jeriq – Ije Nwoke

Best Vocal Performance (Female)

Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song
Niniola – Level
Simi – Stranger
Liya – I’m Done — WINNER
Yemi Alade – Tomorrow

Music Video of the Year

Rema – Charm (Dir. Perliks & Folarin Oludare)
Jyde Ajala – Metaverse
Perliks & Emeka Shine Shine – Like Ice Spice
Mattmax – Ojapiano
Director Pink – Egwu — WINNER
TG Omori – Showa
Dammy Twitch – Na Money

Best Street-Hop Artiste

Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
Ayo Maff feat. Fireboy DML – Dealer
Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast
Zhus Jdo – Johnbull
Mohbad – Ask About Me — WINNER

Viewers’ Choice Award

Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – Big Big Things
Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido – Ogechi Remix
Chike & Mohbad – Egwu — WINNER
Rema – Ozeba
Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
Kizz Daniel – Showa
Tems – Love Me Jeje
Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast
Flavour feat. Fireboy – Dealer
Flavour – Big Baller

Best Vocal Performance Male

Lojay — Billions — WINNER

Best Movie Soundtrack

A Tribe Called Judah — WINNER

Special Recognition Awards

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor
Alex Okosi
Amaju Pinnick
Kcee

Humanitarian awards

Temitola Adekunle Johnson
Mitchell Mukoro

Best East African Artiste

Bien (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Juma Jux (Tanzania) — WINNER
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
Azawi (Uganda)

Best Central African Artiste

Innoss’B (DRC) — WINNER
Gaz Mawete (DRC)
Emma’A (Gabon)
Eboloko (Gabon)
Singuila (Central African Republic)
Kocee (Cameroon)