The 17th edition of The Headies Awards lit up the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday night, April 27, 2025, marking a grand homecoming after two years of hosting in Atlanta, Georgia. With the theme “Back to Base” and “Apologetically African,” the show celebrated African music excellence for the eligibility year spanning April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024. Despite the fanfare, the event suffered major technical failures and poor time management, forcing an abrupt end before winners in key categories like Best Collaboration, Best Rap Album, and Lyricist on the Roll could be announced.
Odumodublvck, one of the night’s biggest winners, clinched the prestigious Next Rated Award, while his collaboration with Shallipopi on “Cast” earned Best Rap Single. Qing Madi took home Songwriter of the Year for “Vision,” and Zerry DL was crowned Rookie of the Year. Mohbad, honoured posthumously, won Best Street-hop Artiste for his hit “Ask About Me,” while Funke Akindele’s record-smashing movie A Tribe Called Judah grabbed the newly introduced Soundtrack of the Year award, highlighting the growing bond between Nigerian film and music.
Tems’ “Burning” was named Best Recording of the Year, while her joint track with Giveon, “Last Heartbreak Song,” alongside Simi’s “Stranger,” dominated the vocal categories. Lojay’s soulful delivery on “Billions” earned him Best Male Vocal Performance, and Liya emerged victorious among the females with “I’m Done.” Flavour’s high-energy anthem “Big Baller” snagged both Afrobeats Single of the Year and massive fan support, while Chike and the late Mohbad’s “Egwu” secured Viewers’ Choice, showing the emotional resonance of their collaboration.
Rema’s HEIS won Afrobeats Album of the Year, while his “Ozeba” track, produced by London, earned Producer of the Year. Davido, fresh off a historic 2024 Grammy nomination, scooped Digital Artiste of the Year, reinforcing his global dominance. Meanwhile, Asake’s “Lonely At The Top” beat tough competition from Ayra Starr and Kizz Daniel to clinch Song of the Year, solidifying his reputation as the voice of a generation.
Beyond Nigeria, the Headies Awards crowned Juma Jux (Tanzania) as Best East African Artiste, Innoss’B (DRC) as Best Central African Artiste, and recognized rising stars like Kocee from Cameroon and TitoM from South Africa. However, categories like Best West African Artiste, with Ghana’s Black Sherif in contention, and Best North African Artiste remained undecided by press time due to the event’s chaotic close, leaving fans and nominees disappointed.
Organisers of The Headies have since promised to release an official statement addressing the night’s technical challenges and announcing the pending winners. As anticipation grows, the return of The Headies to Lagos has reignited conversations about Africa’s entertainment infrastructure, the need for better event management, and Nigeria’s unstoppable dominance in global pop culture.
