Afrobeats stars celebrated as The Headies return to Nigeria.
Asake, Tems, and Odumodublvck Shine at 17th Headies Awards in Lagos
BY Fareedat Taofeeq
April 28, 2025
9:14 am
The 17th edition of The Headies Awards took place on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Eko Convention Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Marking its return home after two years in Atlanta, the ceremony embraced the themes “Back to Base” and “Apologetically African,” honoring excellence in African music from April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024.
The event introduced two new categories: “Soundtrack of the Year” and “Best Performer (Live),” further expanding recognition for artists’ achievements. Funke Akindele’s record-breaking film, “A Tribe Called Judah”, won the inaugural Soundtrack of the Year award.
Among the notable winners, Asake secured Song of the Year for “Lonely At The Top,” while Tems took home Best Recording of the Year for “Burning.” Odumodublvck stood out by winning the Next Rated award and Best Rap Single for “Cast” featuring Shallipopi.
The event celebrated both rising and established talents, with performances and appearances from some of the industry’s brightest names.
See some of the winners below:
Best Recording of the Year
- Tems – “Burning”
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
- Lojay – “Billions”
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
- Liya – “I’m Done”
Next Rated
- Odumodublvck
Rookie of the Year
- Zerry DL
Song of the Year
- Asake – “Lonely At The Top”
Songwriter of the Year
- Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma – “Vision” (Qing Madi)
Music Video of the Year
- Chike ft. Mohbad – “Egwu” (Director Pink)
Best Street-Hop Artiste
- Mohbad – “Ask About Me”
Afrobeats Single of the Year
- Flavour – “Big Baller”
Afrobeats Album of the Year
- Rema – HEIS
Best Rap Single
- Odumodublvck ft. Shallipopi – “Cast”
Digital Artiste of the Year
- Davido
Viewers’ Choice
- Chike ft. Mohbad – “Egwu”
Soundtrack of the Year
- Abbey Wonder & TCJ – A Tribe Called Judah
Best East African Artiste of the Year
- Juma Jux (Tanzania)
Best Central African Artiste of the Year
- Innoss’B (DRC)
Special Recognition Award
- Kingsley “Kcee” Okonkwo