The 17th Edition of the Headies Awards Celebrates African Music Excellence in Lagos
The 17th edition of the prestigious Headies Awards, themed ‘Back to Base,’ took place on Sunday at the Landmark Event Centre in Lekki, marking a triumphant return to Nigeria after hosting the event abroad for two consecutive years.
The ceremony was led by the engaging duo of actress and media personality Nancy Isime and seasoned broadcaster IK Osakioduwa, who infused the event with their charisma, humor, and dynamism. The night was a heartfelt celebration of outstanding contributions to the Nigerian and African music scenes, honoring artists, producers, and creatives who have significantly impacted the industry over the past year.
The event featured electrifying performances from a roster of top performers, including Qing Madi, L.A.X, Odumodublvck, Kcee, Shallipopi, Flavour, Juma Jux, Nasboi, and Magnito, among others.
Tanzanian artist Juma Jux had a memorable evening, receiving the award for Best East African Artiste of the Year, besting notable nominees like Bien from Kenya, fellow Tanzanian Diamond Platnumz, Bruce Melodie from Rwanda, and Uganda’s Azawi. Juma Jux also captivated the audience with a stunning live performance.
A moving highlight of the night was the Special Recognition Award presented to Kcee, acknowledging his enduring influence in the Nigerian music landscape and his impressive artistic journey spanning 26 years.
A poignant moment occurred when the late Mohbad was posthumously awarded Best Street-Hop Artiste for his hit single “Ask About Me.” His family, including his widow and young son, Liam, accepted the award on his behalf, prompting a standing ovation from the audience. The ceremony also included a heartfelt tribute to Mohbad, celebrating his significant impact on the music industry and the legacy he left behind. In addition to this accolade, Mohbad received multiple posthumous nominations, including Best Collaboration for “Egwu” (featuring Chike) and Afrobeats Single of the Year for the same track, underscoring the lasting resonance of his music.
The night had a bit of drama when Odumodublvck, winner of the Next Rated category, was requested by organizers to leave the stage during his lengthy acceptance speech. The rapper, accompanied by his mother and a large entourage, initially refused to comply until the organizers turned his microphone back on, allowing him to complete his remarks.
Here’s the complete list of winners:
Best Recording of the Year
- Tems – Burning (Winner)
- Burna Boy – Higher
- Ayra Starr & Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
- Sarz feat. Lojay – Billions
Producer of the Year
- Sarz – Happiness
- London – Ozeba (Winner)
- Magicsticks – Basquiat
- Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Klimperboy – Hehehe
- Dibs – Different Pattern
Next Rated
- Qing Madi
- Shallipopi
- Odumodublvck (Winner)
- Ayo Maff
- Nasboi
Afrobeats Album of the Year
- Stubborn – Victony
- Work of Art – Asake
- The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
- Heis – Rema (Winner)
- Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn
Songwriter of the Year
- Simi – Stranger
- Qing Madi – Vision (Winner)
- Llona – Can’t Breathe
- Bloody Civilian – Family Meeting
- Wizard Chan – Stages of Life
Rookie of the Year
- Llona
- Kaestyle
- Taves
- Zerrydl (Winner)
Best Rap Single
- Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast (Winner)
- Odumodublvck feat. Bloody Civilian & Wale – Blood on the Dance Floor
- Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morrelo – Hallelujah
- Magnito – Canada
- Jeriq – Ije Nwoke
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
- Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song
- Niniola – Level
- Simi – Stranger
- Liya – I’m Done (Winner)
- Yemi Alade – Tomorrow
Music Video of the Year
- Rema – Charm (Director: Perliks & Folarin Oludare)
- Jyde Ajala – Metaverse
- Perliks & Emeka Shine Shine – Like Ice Spice
- Mattmax – Ojapiano
- Director Pink – Egwu (Winner)
- TG Omori – Showa
- Dammy Twitch – Na Money
Best Street-Hop Artiste
- Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
- Ayo Maff feat. Fireboy DML – Dealer
- Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast
- Zhus Jdo – Johnbull
- Mohbad – Ask About Me (Winner)
Afrobeats Single of the Year
- Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – Big Big Things
- Kizz Daniel – Twe Twe Remix
- Chike feat. Mohbad – Egwu
- Asake – Remember
- Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido – Ogechi Remix
- Flavour – Big Baller (Winner)
Viewers’ Choice Award
- Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – Big Big Things
- Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido – Ogechi Remix
- Chike & Mohbad – Egwu (Winner)
- Rema – Ozeba
- Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
- Kizz Daniel – Showa
- Tems – Love Me Jeje
- Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast
- Flavour feat. Fireboy – Dealer
- Flavour – Big Baller
Digital Artiste of the Year
- Ayra Starr
- Rema
- Shallipopi
- Tems
- Davido (Winner)
- Kizz Daniel
- Asake
Song of the Year
- Showa – Kizz Daniel
- Commas – Ayra Starr
- Egwu – Chike and Mohbad
- Lonely at the Top – Asake (Winner)
- Ozeba – Rema
- Big Baller – Flavour
Best Vocal Performance Male
- Lojay – Billions (Winner)
Best Movie Soundtrack
- A Tribe Called Judah (Winner)
Special Recognition Awards
- Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor
- Alex Okosi
- Amaju Pinnick
- Kcee
Humanitarian Awards
- Temitola Adekunle Johnson
- Mitchell Mukoro
Best East African Artiste
- Bien (Kenya)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Juma Jux (Tanzania) (Winner)
- Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
- Azawi (Uganda)
Best Central African Artiste
- Innoss’B (DRC) (Winner)
- Gaz Mawete (DRC)
- Emma’A (Gabon)
- Eboloko (Gabon)
- Singuila (Central African Republic)
- Kocee (Cameroon)
The Headies Awards 2023 was indeed a night filled with glitz, glamour, and heartfelt appreciation—truly a celebration of the vibrant evolution of African music.
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