The Headies, Nigeria’s most prestigious music awards, has released the highly anticipated nominations list for its 17th edition. The announcement, made on Wednesday, features a mix of local and international artists recognized for their contributions to the music industry over the past year.
Odumodu Blvck, whose real name is Tochukwu Ojogwu, leads the nominations with five nods, while Ayra Starr (Oyinkansola Aderibigbe) and Shallipopi (Crown Uzama) follow closely with three each.
Odumodu Blvck also secured two nominations in the Best Collaboration category, competing alongside industry heavyweights such as Chike, Wizkid, Zlatan, Asa, and Tiwa Savage.
In a notable recognition, the late Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, posthumously received three nominations despite his passing on September 12, 2023.
The nominations, shared via the Headies’ official X handle, cover multiple categories, including Producer of the Year, Best Recording of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Best R&B Single, Rookie of the Year, Best Rap Single, Best Vocal Performance (Female), Best Collaboration, and Music Video of the Year.
Below is the full list of nominees:
Music Video of the Year
- Charm – Rema, Oerlinks & Folarin Oludare
- Metaverse – Jyde Ajala
- Like Ice Spice – Perlinks & Emeka Shine Shine
- Ojapiano – Mattmax
- Egwu – Director Pink
- Showa – TG Omori
- Na Money – Dammy Twitch
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
- Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song
- Niniola – Level
- Simi – Stranger
- Liya – I’m Done
- Yemi Alade – Tomorrow
Best Rap Single
- Cast – Odumodu Blvck & Shallipopi
- Blood on the Dance Floor – Bloody Civilian, Wale & Odumodu Blvck
- Hallelujah – Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morello
- Canada – Magnito
- Ije Nwoke – Jeriq
Rookie of the Year
- Zerry DL
- Taves
- Kaestyles
- Llona
Best R&B Single
- Qing Madi – Vision
- Johnny Drille – For You
- Simi – Stranger
- Tems – Burning
- Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song ft. Giveon
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)
Producer of the Year
- Sarz – Happiness
- London – Ozeba
- Magicsticks – Basquiat
- Rema/Producer X/Cubeats/Deatz/Klimperboy – Hehehe
- Dibs – Different Pattern
Best Recording of the Year
- Tems – Burning
- Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
- Burna Boy – Higher
- Ayra Starr & Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
- Sarz & Lojay – Billions
Best Collaboration
- Emotions – Tiwa Savage ft. Asa
- Blood on the Dance Floor – Odumodu Blvck, Bloody Civilian & Wale
- Cast – Shallipopi ft. Odumodu Blvck
- Egwu – Chike ft. Mohbad
- Ole – Qing Madi ft. BNXN
- Twe Twe Remix – Kizz Daniel ft. Davido
- IDK – Wizkid ft. Zlatan
Best Street-Hop Artiste
- Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
- Ayo Maff – Dealer ft. Fireboy
- Shallipopi – Cast ft. Odumodu Blvck
- Zhus Jdo – Johnbull
- Mohbad – Ask About Me
Afrobeats Single of the Year
- Big Big Things – Young Jonn ft. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez
- Twe Twe Remix – Kizz Daniel ft. Davido
- Egwu – Chike ft. Mohbad
- Remember – Asake
- Ogechi Remix – Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel ft. Davido
- Big Baller – Flavour
The 17th Headies promises to be a celebration of musical excellence, recognizing both established and rising stars in the Nigerian and global music industry.
