The 17th prestigious award, marked “Back Base”, was held on Sunday at the Landmark Event Center in Lekki, marking the return of vibrant Nigeria to Nigeria after two years abroad.
The ceremony consists of a dynamic duo of actresses and media personality, Nancy Isime and veteran broadcaster, IK Osakioduwa, who bring charm, humor and energy to the stage.
It is a night dedicated to celebrating the outstanding achievements of the music industry in Nigeria and Africa, recognizing artists, producers and creatives who have made a huge contribution over the past year.
Exciting performances from the brightest stars on the continent further energize the night with qinmadi, lax, odumodublvck, kcee, kcee, shalllipopi, shalllipopi, juma jux, nasboi, magnito and more.
Tanzanian singer Juma Jux spent an unforgettable night, won the East African Artist of the Year Award, winning other notable nominees such as Bien (Kenya), Bien (Kenya), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Bruce Platnumz, Bruce Melodie (Ranwada) and Azawi (Uganda).
He also thrilled the audience with his fascinating live performance.
One of the most exciting highlights of the night was the special recognition award to Limpopo Master Kcee.
This honor earned his lasting contribution to the Nigerian music industry, his cultural influence and his impressive artistic evolution over the past 26 years.
In a profoundly moving moment, the late Mohbad was awarded the Best Street Jump Artist for his hit single “Ask About Me.”
His family (including his wife and youngest son Liam) accepted the award on his behalf, which was warmly welcomed by the audience.
The ceremony also paid a heartfelt tribute to the celebration of Mobad’s profound impact on the music industry and the legacy he left behind.
In addition to winning, Mohbad has received multiple post-death nominations, including the best collaboration with Chike and Afrobeats, the same track. These nominations and his post-death recognition emphasize the lasting resonance of his music and the irreplaceable ineffectiveness of his death.
There was a slight drama when the event organizer fashionably asked Odumodublvck for Odumodublvck (winning the next rating category), and he left the stage while delivering a long speech after receiving the award. The famous rapper rushed into the stage with his mom and friend’s entourage and the record company team blatantly refused to leave the stage until the organizer finally turned on his microphone, initially shut down and allowed him to finish his speech.
See the complete list of winners below:
Best recording of the year
TEMS – Burning – Winner
Burna Boy – Higher
Ayra Starr & Giveon – The Last Sad Song
Salz feat. Lojay – Billions
Producer of the Year
Salz – Happiness
London – Ozba – Winner
Magicsticks – Basquiat
rema/producerx/cubeatz/deatz/klimperboy – hehehe
dibs – different modes
Next ratings
Qing Madi
Bellipopia
odumodublvck – Winner
Ayo Maff
Nasbo
Afrobeats Album of the Year
Stubborn – Vikney
Artwork – Asake
When I was 21 years old – Ayra Starr
heis – Rema – Winner
jiggy forever – Young Jon
Songwriter
Simi – Stranger
Qingmaddy – Vision – Warner
llona – Can’t breathe
Bloody Civilians – Family Meeting
Guide Chen – The Stage of Life
New Year’s Rookie
llona
shit
you
Zerrydl-winner
The best rap list
Hallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Actor – Winner
Odumodublvck feat. Bloody Civilians and Vail – Blood on the dance floor
Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morrelo – Hallelujah
Magnitus-Canada
Jerq-Male
Best Voice Performance (Female)
Ayra Starr – The Last Heartbreaking Song
Niniola – Level
Simi – Stranger
Liya – I’m done – Werner
Yemi Pork – Tomorrow
Music video of the year
Rielma-Chuck (a
Jyde Ajala -Metavers
Perliks & Emeka Shine Shine – Just like ice spices
Mattmax – Ojapiano
Director Pink – Music – Winner
TG Omori – Yanwu
Dammy Twitch – Na Money
The best street jump artist
Seyi Vibez – Different modes
Ayo Maff feat. Fireboy DML – Dealer
Hallipopi feat. odumodyblvck-Casting
Zhus Jdo – John Boole
Mohbad – Ask me – Winner
Afrobeats in the year
Young Jon feed. Dani Dazz & Sey Vibez – Big Event.
Kizz Daniel – Twe Twe Remix
Chuke feat. Mohbad – Music
Asake – Remember
Hyce, Boypee and Brown Joel feats. Davido – Ogechi Remix
Flavor – Big Ballet Dancer – Winner
Audience Choice Award
Young Jon feed. Dani Dazz & Sey Vibez – Big Event.
Hyce, Boypee and Brown Joel feats. Davido – Ogechi Remix
Chike & Mohbad – Music – Winner
Rema – Ozba
Seyi Vibez – Different modes
Dani Dani – Slow
tems-Love me Hoho
Hallipopi feat. odumodyblvck-Casting
Flavor feat. Fireboy – Dealer
Flavor – Big ballerina
Digital Artist of the Year
ayra trrrrrrr.
Rema
Bellipopia
tems
David – Winner
Kizz Daniel
only
Song of the year
Performance – Dazz Daniel
Comma – Ayra Starr
Fear – Zucker and Mohabad
Loneliness in the Champion – Winner
Ozeba -Rema
Big ballerina-flavor
Best voice performance for men
Lojay – Billions of dollars – Winner
The best movie soundtrack
A tribe called Judas – the winner
Special Recognition Award
Lagos Governor Postage Capital
Alex Okosi
Amaju Pinnick
KCEE
Humanitarian Award
Mbalela adult moth
Mitchell User
The best East African artist
OK (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Juma Jux (Tanzania) – Winner
Bruce Melody (Rwanda)
No Zawi (Uganda)
Best Central African Artist
insss’b (DRC) – Winner
Mawete Gas (DRC)
Emma (Gabon)
Ebolo (Christmas)
Singuila (Central African Republic)
Kocee (Cameroon)
The 2025 Headies Awards is a glitz, charm and strongly recognized night, a true testament to the vibrant evolution of African music.
