The highly anticipated 17th Headies Awards is back, and the nominations list has officially been revealed by the Headies Academy.
This year’s edition marks a grand return to Nigeria after two consecutive shows in the United States, promising to be a highly competitive affair. With some of the biggest hit songs and critically acclaimed albums from 2023 to 2024 making the cut, fans are in for an electrifying showdown.
Headies 2024: Eligibility Criteria for Nominations
According to the Headies Academy, only music materials—including singles, music videos, live video recordings, EPs, and albums—released and distributed on digital streaming platforms or physical formats (CDs, cassettes, vinyl) between April 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024, were considered for nomination.
Rising Stars Compete for Rookie of the Year
The Rookie of the Year category is stacked with fresh talent, as emerging artists Taves, Zerrydl, Kaestyle, and Llona battle for the coveted title. The winner will take over from Odumodublvck, who clinched the award at the 16th Headies.
Now, let’s dive into the full nominations list for the 2024 Headies Awards:
Best Recording of the Year
- TEMS – Burning
- SEYI VIBEZ – Different Pattern
- BURNA BOY – Higher
- AYRA STARR & GIVEON – Last Heartbreak Song
- SARZ FT. 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 & GIVEON – Last Heartbreak Song
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
- YEMI ALADE – Tomorrow
Best Collaboration
- EMOTIONS – Tiwa Savage feat. Asa
- BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR – Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian & 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 & Seyi Vibez
- TWE TWE REMIX – Kizz Daniel
- EGWU feat. Mohbad – Chike
- REMEMBER – Asake
- OGECHI REMIX – Hyce, Boypee, & Brown Joel ft. Davido
- BIG BALLER – Flavour
Best Rap Album
- SIDEH KAI – Illbliss
- EZIOKWU – Odumodublvck
- ALAYE TOH SE GOGO VOL. 1 – Reminisce
- FAMILY TIME – Erigga
- SHINY OBJECT SYNDROME – Modenine
Headies Next Rated
- Qing Madi
- Shallipopi
- Odumodublvck
- Ayo Maff
- Nasboi
Afrobeats Album of the Year
- STUBBORN – Victony
- WORK OF ART – Asake
- THE YEAR I TURNED 21 – Ayra Starr
- HEIS – Rema
- JIGGY FOREVER – Young Jonn
Digital Artiste of the Year
- Ayra Starr
- Rema
- Shallipopi
- Tems
- Davido
- Kizz Daniel
- Asake
Song of the Year
- SHOWA – Kizz Daniel
- COMMAS – Ayra Starr
- EGWU – Chike & Mohbad
- LONELY AT THE TOP – Asake
- OZEBA – Rema
- BIG BALLER – Flavour
Headies 2024: What’s Next?
With this incredible lineup of top Nigerian artists, the 17th Headies Awards promises to be a historic event, celebrating the best in Afrobeats, rap, R&B, and more. Fans eagerly await the winners, who will be unveiled at the grand ceremony later this year.
Who do you think deserves to take home the biggest awards? Drop your predictions in the comments!