Davido, Rema & Tems Win at 2025 Headies Awards: Full List

Davido won artist of the year and digital artist of the year at The Headies, which recognizes African contemporary music and Afrobeats. The show was held on April 27 at The Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, marking the show’s return to Africa after holding its last two ceremonies in Atlanta. The show was  livestreamed on YouTube (U.S.) and Hip TV (Nigeria).

Davido also took the stage to present the Next Rated award — an honor he described as “the most important” of the evening — to Odumodublvck. “I won this award 12 years ago, and I know firsthand the hard work and dedication it takes to get to this point,” Davido said. Odumodublvck also won best rap single.

Rema as well as Chike and MohBad were also double winners on the night. Rema won album of the year and Afrobeats album of the year, both for Heis. Chike and MohBad won best collaboration and the viewers choice award, both for “Egwu.”

Tems won best recording of the year for “Burning.”

For the first time, the show was hosted by a woman — Nigerian actress and model Nancy Isime. Isime also performed, accompanied by Fire and Desire. Other performers included Blaqbonez, L.A.X., Qing Madi, Ayo Maff, Magnito, Juma Jux, L.A.X., INNOSS’B (DRC), Kcee, Odumodublvck and Shallipopi.

Temitola Adekunle Johnson, senior special assistant to the president (OVP) on job creation, and influencer and philanthropist Michelle Mukoro (King Mitchy) received the humanitarian award for their commitment to uplifting underprivileged communities across Nigeria.

“I want to thank the entire entertainment and creative industry, you have come a long way,” Johnson said in accepting the award. “Back in the days, we used to just be happy to watch the Grammys, but now, during Grammy nominations, people are saying how many Nigerians were nominated — that’s how far we have come.”

The 17th Headies Awards show also paid homage to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, executive governor of Lagos, for his dedication to the creative sector.

For his contributions to the creative industry and innovative leadership in advancing the digital ecosystem across Africa, Alex Okosi (managing director, Google Africa) received the special recognition award. Amaju Pinnick (chairman/GCEO Brownhill Group) also received the special recognition award for his contributions to Nigeria’s creative and cultural industries.

The Headies Awards, originally called the Hip Hop World Awards, was established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.

Only music materials released and distributed on digital streaming platforms, and physical music media within the eligibility period (April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024) were considered for nominations.

Here’s the complete list of nominations for the 2025 Headies Awards, with winners marked.

Artist of the year

WINNER: Davido

Ayra Starr

Asake

Rema

Tems

Burna Boy

Song of the year

“Showa” – Kizz Daniel

“Commas” – Ayra Starr

“Egwu” – Chike and Mohbad

WINNER: “Lonely at the Top” – Asake

“Ozeba” – Rema

“Big Baller” – Flavour

Album of the year

Born in the Wild – Tems

WINNER: Heis – Rema

The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr

Stubborn – Victony

Work of Art – Asake

Rookie of the year

WINNER: Zerry DL

Taves

Kaestyle

Llona

Best recording of the year

WINNER: Tems – “Burning”

Seyi Vibez – “Different Pattern”

Burna Boy – “Higher”

Ayra Starr & Giveon – “Last Heartbreak Song”

Sarz featuring Lojay – “Billions”

Best vocal performance (female)

Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song”

Niniola – “Level”

Simi – “Stranger”

WINNER: Liya – “I’m Done”

Tomorrow – “Yemi Alade”

Best vocal performance (male)

WINNER: Lojay – “Billions”

Omah Lay – “Moving”

Anendlessocean – “Gratitude”

Johnny Drille – “For You”

Timi Dakolo – “Ke Na Ke So”

Best collaboration

“Emotions” – Tiwa Savage Feat. Asa

“Blood on the Dance Floor” Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian and Wale

“Cast” – Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck

WINNER: “Egwu” – Chike and Mohbad

“Ole” – Qing Madi and Bnxn

“Twe Twe” Remix – Kizz Daniel and Davido

“IDK” – Wizkid feat. Zlatan

International artist of the year

Wale – “Blood on the Dance Floor” (Odumodublvck)

Skepta – “Tony Montana” (feat. Portable)

Chris Brown – “Hmmm” (feat. Davido)

WINNER: Travis Scott – “Active” (Asake)

Chloe Bailey – “Vision” remix (Qing Madi)

Music video of the year

“Charm” – Rema (Rema X Perliks X Folarin Oludare)

“Metaverse” – Olamide (Jyde Ajala)

“Like Ice Spice” – Blaqbonez (Perliks & Emeka Shine Shine)

“Ojapiano” – Kcee (Mattmax)

WINNER: “Egwu” – Chike & MohBad (Director Pink)

“Showa” – Kizz Daniel (Tg Omori)

“Na Money” – Davido feat. Cavemen, Angelique Kidjo (Dammy Twitch)

Songwriter of the year

Simisola Kosoko – “Stranger” (Simi)

WINNER: 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”

WINNER: London – “Ozeba”

Magicstick – “Basquiat”

Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Kilmberboy – “Hehehe”

Dibs – “Different Pattern”

Best R&B single

Qing Madi – “Vision”

Johnny Drille – “For You”

Simi – “Stranger”

Tems – “Burning”

WINNER: Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song” feat. Giveon

Best rap single

WINNER: “Cast” feat. Odumodublvck – Shallipoppi

“Blood on the Dance Floor” feat. Bloody Civilian & Wale – Odumodublvck

“Hallelujah” – Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morrelo

“Canada” – Magnito

“Ije Nwoke” – Jeriq

Best street-hop artist

Seyi Vibez – “Different Patterns”

Ayo Maff – “Dealer” (feat. Fireboy Dl)

Shallipopi – “Cast” (feat. Odumodublvck)

Zhus Jdo – “Johnbull”

WINNER: Mohbad – “Ask About Me”

Afrobeats single of the year

“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez

“Twe Twe Remix” – Kizz Daniel

“Egwu” feat. Mohbad – Chike

“Remember” – Asake

“Ogechi” remix – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel feat. Davido

WINNER: “Big Baller” – Flavour

Lyricist on the roll

Mogadishu – A-Q

Chocolate City Cypher – M.I Abaga

Chocolate City Cypher – Blaqbonez

WINNER: Hallelujah – Ladipoe

Efeleme – Alpha Ojini

Best inspirational single

“Gratitude” – Anendlessocean

“Worthy of My Praise” – Dunsin Oyekan feat. Lawrence Oyor

“Good God 2” – Limoblaze feat. Naomi Raine

“Particularly” – Gaise Baba feat. Tope Alabi

WINNER: “You Do This One” – Mercy Chinwo

Headies’ viewers’ choice

“Big Big Things” feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez – Young Jonn

“Ogechi” remix feat. Davido – Hyce, Boypee, And Brown Joel

WINNER: “Egwu” – Chike & MohBad

“Showa” – Kizz Daniel

“Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez

“Ozeba” – Rema

“Love Me Jeje” – Tems

“Cast” feat. Odumodublvck – Shallipopi

“Dealer” feat. Fireboy Dml – Ayo Maff

“Big Baller” – Flavour

Best West African artist of the year

Black Sherif (Ghana) – “January 9th”

King Promise (Ghana) – “Terminator”

WINNER: Himra (Ivory Coast) – “Coulibaly & Diabaté”

Josey (Ivory Coast) – “Venez Bouger”

Toofan (Togo) – “Tone”

Best East African artist of the year

Bien (Kenya) – “Wahala”

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) – “Mapoz”

WINNER: Juma Jux (Tanzania) – “Enjoy”

Bruce Melodie (Rwanda) – “When She’s Around”

Azawi (Uganda) – “Masavu”

Best North African artist of the year

Mohamed Ramadan (Egypt) – “Arabi”

Elgrande Toto (Morocco) – “Maghribi”

WINNER: Soolking (Algeria) – “Tiki Taka”

Balti (Tunisia) – “Dima Mechi”

Abu (Eygpt) – “Hollela”

Best Southern African artist of the year

WINNER: Titom (South Africa) –“Tshwala Bam”

Yuppe (South Africa) – “Tshwala Bam”

Tyla (South Africa) – “Water”

Kelly Kay (Malawi) – “Bana Pwanya”

Plutonio (Mozambique) – “Acordar”

Zee Nxumalo (South Africa) – “Thula Mabota”

Best Central African artist of the year

WINNER: Innos’B (DRC) – “Sete”

Gaz Mawete (DRC) – “Dendisa”

Emma’a (Gabon) – “Biso Mibale”

Eboloko (Gabon) – “Satanana”

Singuila. (Central African Republic) – “Sin Saison”

Kocee (Cameroun) – “Credit Alert”

Best rap album

Sideh Kai – Illbliss

Eziokwu – Odumodublvck

Alaye Toh Se Gogo Vol. 1 – Reminisce

WINNER: Family Time – Erigga

Shiny Object Syndrome – Modenine

Soundtrack of the year

Eledumare – Teledalese (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)

Lose to Gain – Kaline (Breath of Life)

Kill Boro – Native Filmworks & Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)

Orisa – Beriola (Orisa)

Emotions – Tiwa Savage & Asa (Water and Garri)

WINNER: Tribe Called Judah soundtrack – TCJ & Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah)

Next rated

Qing Madi

Shallipopi

WINNER: Odumodublvck

Ayo Maff

Nasboi

Afrobeats album of the year

Stubborn – Victony

Work of Art – Asake

The Year I Turn 21 – Ayra Starr

WINNER: Heis – Rema

Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn

Best performer (live)

Rema – Ravage Uprising: Rema Live From The O2, London

Omah Lay – Live at L’olympia Paris

Flavour – Celebrating You 2023

Wizard Chan – Live in Concert Port Harcourt

WINNER: Burna Boy – African Giant Live From London

Femi Kuti & The Positive Force – Nuits De Fourvière (Arte Concert)

Digital artist of the year

Ayra Starr

Rema

Shallipopi

Tems

WINNER: Davido

Kizz Daniel

Asake

Humanitarian award

King Mitchy

Special recognition

Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo A.K.A Kcee