Entertainment

(FULL LIST) Davido, Mohbad, Tems, Others Shine At 17th Headies Awards

Published

7 months ago

April 28, 2025

The 17th edition of the prestigious Headies Awards, tagged ‘Back to Base’, was held on Sunday at the Landmark Event Centre, Lekki, marking a vibrant return to Nigeria after two years abroad.

The ceremony was hosted by the dynamic duo of actress and media personality Nancy Isime and veteran broadcaster, IK Osakioduwa, who brought charisma, humour, and energy to the stage.

It was a night dedicated to celebrating outstanding achievements across the Nigerian and African music industries, recognising artists, producers, and creatives who have made remarkable contributions over the past year.

The night was further enlivened by electrifying performances from some of the continent’s brightest stars, including Qing Madi, L.A.X, Odumodublvck, Kcee, Shallipopi, Flavour, Juma Jux, Nasboi, Magnito, and more.

Tanzanian singer, Juma Jux, enjoyed a memorable night, taking home the award for Best East African Artiste of the Year, triumphing over other notable nominees such as Bien (Kenya), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Bruce Melodie (Rwanda), and Azawi (Uganda).

He also thrilled the audience with a captivating live performance.

One of the night’s most emotional highlights was the presentation of the Special Recognition Award to Limpopo master, Kcee.

The accolade honoured his enduring contributions to the Nigerian music industry, his cultural impact, and his impressive artistic evolution over the past 26 years.

In a deeply moving moment, the late Mohbad was posthumously honoured with the Best Street-Hop Artiste award for his hit single “Ask About Me.”

His family—including his wife and young son, Liam—accepted the award on his behalf, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.

The ceremony also featured a heartfelt tribute, celebrating Mohbad’s profound impact on the music industry and the legacy he left behind.

In addition to his win, Mohbad earned multiple posthumous nominations, including Best Collaboration for “Egwu” with Chike and Afrobeats Single of the Year for the same track. These nominations and his posthumous recognition underscore the enduring resonance of his music and the irreplaceable void his passing has left in the industry.

There was mild drama when the organisers of the event stylishly requested Odumodublvck, who won the Next Rated Category, to leave the stage while he was giving a long speech after receiving his award. The celebrated rapper who stormed the stage with his mom and an entourage of friends and record label team blatantly refused to leave the stage till the organisers eventually switched on his microphone, which was initially switched off and allowed him to finish his speech.

See full list of winners below :

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 (Dir. 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 2025 was a night of glitz, glamour, and powerful recognition — a true testament to the vibrant evolution of African music.

Up Next

VIDEO: Davido Named Best Digital Artiste At 17th Headies Awards

Don't Miss

VIDEO: Portable, Speed Darlington Trade Punches Ahead Of Boxing Bout

Comments

Entertainment

Wema Bank, Davido Push 5ive Tour Through Four Regions Ahead Of Abuja Finale

Published

9 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

Wema Bank and Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, are set to conclude the Nigerian leg of the 5ive Tour in Abuja on December 14, 2025, after successfully taking the tour through four regions of the country.

The Abuja show marks the latest development in the nationwide rollout of the 5ive Tour, which has so far attracted more than 80,000 attendees across four major cities.

The Nigerian leg of the tour has already made stops in Uyo, Yola, Enugu and Ibadan, covering all four regions in what organisers described as a deliberate effort to ensure diversity, inclusion and nationwide accessibility for fans.

The homecoming tour follows a successful global run earlier in the year, when Davido embarked on the 5ive Tour to celebrate the release of his fifth studio album, 5ive. He later announced in October 2025 that the tour would return to Nigeria, continuing his long-standing partnership with Wema Bank.

Since its kickoff, Wema Bank has amplified the tour experience with exclusive customer access, VIP packages and premium Davido 5ive Tour merchandise that has gained nationwide popularity.

The bank’s involvement has been credited with raising the bar for entertainment collaborations, contributing to what has become one of the biggest studio tours on the continent.

The partnership, already widely recognised from previous initiatives, has once again drawn commendation from fans and industry observers, who praise Wema Bank for maintaining a strong connection with youth culture and entertainment trends.

With excitement building ahead of the Abuja finale, Wema Bank has urged fans hoping to secure free tickets or limited-edition tour merchandise to follow its social media pages on Instagram, X and Facebook for updates as the #Wema5iveAliveTour approaches its grand conclusion.

The tour featured performances in five cities across Nigeria: Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Enugu, Ibadan, and Lagos.

As the headline sponsor, Wema Bank spearheaded the execution of the tour, which promised to deliver an unforgettable experience for attendees.

The bank launched an official hashtag, #Wema5iveAliveTour, and offered exclusive freebies and experiences to customers who sign up on the ALAT App using the code ‘Davido5iveAlive’ and remain active.

“The excitement is off the charts as Nigerians wait impatiently in anticipation of what the Bank has in store for its customers.

“Anyone interested in getting access to the freebies and exclusives Wema Bank is bringing is expected to download the ALAT App, sign up using the code ‘Davido5iveAlive,’ stay active and follow the Bank on all social media platforms.”

Entertainment

‘There Was No Blueprint For Me’ – Wizkid Claims

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

Nigerian singer Wizkid has sparked controversy after claiming that he had no blueprint while coming up as an artist, despite having emerged through ace singer Banky W’s imprint.

The Ojuelegba crooner made the statement in a snippet of his upcoming HBO documentary Long Live Lagos.

“There was no blueprint for me. I had to build a structure for myself,” he claimed.

His comment sparked debate on social media, with many insisting that it not only downplayed Banky W’s impact on his career but also disrespected the great Nigerian musicians who paved the way for the new generation of artists.

Wizkid, however, admitted elsewhere in the documentary that Fela Kuti inspired him to pursue music.

“Fela Kuti was instrumental to why I believe I could really make music,” he said.

Some of the reactions on X include:

Franko_Nero wrote: “I still vividly remember the day that Bankole [Banky W] announced on a show that he wants to introduce a boy wonder, a germ in the making. Today, this ungrateful child is claiming otherwise. If Banky knew that today would come, I am sure he would have chased him far away.”

Arhcent said: “This guy is erasing the role Banky W and EME played in his career. The person Banky picked from school into the studio is saying ‘I had to build a structure for myself.’ God sees all.”

Duke of Isoko wrote: “If he never built a structure, Banky probably wouldn’t have noticed him. This dude came out with his own style of music, dressing sense, etc., but I understand that English is a problem in this place.”

Sir Dickson opined: “People are debating this with reference to Banky’s impact in his life. There is no real context to that. I believe he was speaking about his style of music. He reinvented himself. Wiz has never denied Banky’s impact, nor can he. Let’s calm down.”

Entertainment

‘I Am Not Shy, I’m Just Laid Back’ – Olamide Addresses Misconception

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

Famous Nigerian rapper Olamide Baddo has addressed the misconception that he is shy.

Speaking in a recent interview with Ada’s Room, Baddo explained that he isn’t shy but laid back.

“One thing I wish people could understand about me is I am not shy, I am just laid back,” he said.

The host asked: “What is the difference between shy and laid back?”

Olamide responded: “Shy is when you don’t have the confidence and the charisma to stand people or look them in the eye or have conversations with them.

“But being laid back is you just don’t want to be bothered. People think I am shy but I am not.”