FULL LIST: Mohbad, Odumodu Blvck, Ayra Starr Lead 2025 Headies Nomination List

After facing widespread criticism for hosting its last edition in the United States, Nigeria’s premier music awards ceremony, The Headies, is set to make a grand return to home soil for its 17th edition. The organizers have officially announced that the much-anticipated event will take place on April 5, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria.
The nomination list, unveiled on Wednesday, showcases a dynamic mix of established and emerging talents, both locally and internationally, whose artistry has significantly shaped the music landscape over the past year.
Nigerian hip-hop sensation, Tochukwu Ojogwu, widely known as Odumodu Blvck, has emerged as the most nominated artist this year, securing a remarkable five nods across various categories.
In an unexpected yet poignant twist, the late Ilerioluwa Aloba, famously known as Mohbad, has received three nominations, nearly two years after his untimely passing in September 2023. His posthumous recognition highlights his enduring influence on the Nigerian music industry.
Meanwhile, Ayra Starr, who previously clinched a Headies award in 2022, has also earned three nominations, reinforcing her continued relevance in the industry. Additionally, fast-rising artist Crown Uzama, known professionally as Shallipopi, has matched this feat, solidifying his status as one of the country’s breakout stars of the past year.
The Rookie of the Year category is packed with fresh talent, as Taves, Zerrydl, Kaestyle, and Llona have all been shortlisted, each vying for a chance to secure the prestigious award that spotlights promising newcomers in the industry.
Despite being an annual affair, The Headies did not hold its 2024 edition, as the organizers opted to shift the event to February 2025. Now, with its return to Nigeria, this year’s ceremony promises to rekindle the excitement and prestige that have defined the awards over the years.
See the full nominations list below:
BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR
TEMS – BURNING
SEYI VIBEZ – DIFFERENT PATTERN
BURNA BOY – HIGHER
AYRA STARR & GIVEON – LAST HEARTBREAK SONG
SARZ FEATURING LOJAY – BILLIONS
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
SARZ – HAPPINESS
LONDON – OZEBA
MAGICSTICKS – BASQUIAT
REMA/PRODUCER X/CUBEATZ/DEATZ/KLIMPERBOY – HEHEHE
DIBS – DIFFERENT PATTERN
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
SIMISOLA KOSOKO  – STRANGER (SIMI)
CHIMAMANDA PEARL CHUKWUMA – VISION (QING MADI)
MICHAEL AJUMA ATTAH – CAN’T BREATHE (LLONA)
EMOSEH KHAMOFU – FAMILY MEETING (BLOODY CIVILIAN)
FUAYEFIKA MAXWELL – STAGES OF LIFE (WIZARD CHAN)
BEST R&B SINGLE
QING MADI – VISION
JOHNNY DRILLE – FOR YOU
SIMI – STRANGER
TEMS – BURNING
AYRA STARR – LAST HEARTBREAK SONG FT. GIVEON
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
LLONA
KAESTYLE
TAVES
ZERRYDL
BEST RAP SINGLE
CAST – ODUMODUBLVCK FEAT SHALLIPOPI
BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR – ODUMODUBLVCK FEAT BLOODY CIVILIAN & WALE –
HALLELUJAH – LADIPOE, ROZZZ & MORRELO
CANADA – MAGNITO
IJE NWOKE – JERIQ
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)
AYRA STARR – LAST HEARTBREAK SONG
NINIOLA – LEVEL
SIMI – STRANGER
LIYA – I’M DONE
TOMORROW – YEMI ALADE
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
CHARM – (REMA X PERLIKS X FOLARIN OLUDARE)
METAVERSE – (JYDE AJALA)
LIKE ICE SPICE – (PERLIKS & EMEKA SHINE SHINE)
OJAPIANO – (MATTMAX)  
EGWU – (DIRECTOR PINK)
SHOWA – (TG OMORI)
NA MONEY – (DAMMY TWITCH)
BEST COLLABORATION
EMOTIONS – TIWA SAVAGE FEAT. ASA
BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR – ODUMODUBLVCK, BLOODY CIVILIAN, AND WALE
CAST – SHALLIPOPI FT ODUMODUBLVCK
EGWU – CHIKE & MOHBAD
OLE – QING MADI & BNXN
TWE TWE REMIX – KIZZ DANIEL & DAVIDO
IDK – WIZKID FT. ZLATAN
BEST STREET-HOP ARTISTE
SEYI VIBEZ – “DIFFERENT PATTERNS”
AYO MAFF – DEALER (FT. FIREBOY DML)
SHALLIPOPI – CAST (FT. ODUMODUBLVCK)
ZHUS JDO – JOHNBULL
MOHBAD – ASK ABOUT ME
AFROBEATS SINGLE OF THE YEAR
BIG BIG THINGS – YOUNG JONN FT. KIZZ DANIEL AND SEYI VIBEZ
TWE TWE REMIX – KIZZ DANIEL
EGWU FEAT. MOHBAD – CHIKE
REMEMBER – ASAKE
OGECHI REMIX – HYCE, BOYPEE, AND BROWN JOEL FT. DAVIDO
BIG BALLER – FLAVOR
LYRICIST ON THE ROLL
MOGADISHU – A-Q
CHOCOLATE CITY CYPHER – M.I ABAGA
CHOCOLATE CITY CYPHER – BLAQBONEZ
HALLELUJAH – LADIPOE
EFELEME – ALPHA OJINI
BEST INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE ARE
GRATITUDE – ANENDLESSOCEAN
WORTHY OF MY PRAISE – DUNSIN OYEKAN FT. LAWRENCE OYOR
GOOD GOD 2 – LIMOBLAZE FT. NAOMI RAINE
PARTICULARLY – GAISE BABA FT. TOPE ALABI
YOU DO THIS ONE – MERCY CHINWO
VIEWERS CHOICE AWARDS
BIG BIG THINGS – YOUNG JONN FT. KIZZ DANIEL AND SEYI VIBEZ
OGECHI REMIX – HYCE, BOYPEE, AND BROWN JOEL FT. DAVIDO
EGWU – CHIKE & MOHBAD
OZEBA – REMA
DIFFERENT PATTERN – SEYI VIBEZ
SHOWA – KIZZ DANIEL
LOVE ME JEJE – TEMS
CAST – SHALLIPOPI FT. ODUMODUBLVCK
DEALER – FLAVOUR FT. FIREBOY
BIG BALLER – FLAVOUR
BEST WEST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
BLACK SHERIF (GHANA)
KING PROMISE (GHANA)
HIMRA (IVORY COAST)
JOSEY (IVORY COAST)
TOOFAN (TOGO)
BEST EAST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
BIEN (KENYA)
DIAMOND PLATNUMZ (TANZANIA)
JUMA JUX (TANZANIA)
BRUCE MELODIE (RWANDA)
AZAWI (UGANDA)
BEST NORTH AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
MOHAMED RAMADAN (EGYPT)
ELGRANDE TOTO (MOROCCO)
SOOLKING (ALGERIA)
BALTI (TUNISIA)
ABU (EYGPT)
BEST SOUTHERN AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
TITOM (SOUTH AFRICA)
YUPPE (SOUTH AFRICA)
TYLA (SOUTH AFRICA)
KELLY KAY (MALAWI)
PLUTONIO (MOZAMBIQUE)
ZEE NXUMALO (SOUTH AFRICA)