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

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO: FULL LIST: Winners At 78th BAFTA Awards

See full list of winners below :

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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

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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

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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

READ ALSO: Full List: Odumodublvck, Ayra Starr, Mohbad Jostle For Top Honours At 2024 Headies Awards

Best Vocal Performance (Female)

Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song
Niniola – Level
Simi – Stranger
Liya – I’m Done —Winner
Yemi Alade – Tomorrow

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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

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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

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READ ALSO: VIDEO: See Winner Of Best Content Creator At AMVCA

Best Vocal Performance Male

Lojay — Billions — Winner

Best Movie Soundtrack

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A Tribe Called Judah — Winner

Special Recognition Awards

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor
Alex Okosi
Amaju Pinnick
Kcee

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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)

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

Entertainment

Why I Linked Isbae U With Obasanjo — Charly Boy

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Veteran entertainer and activist, Charly Boy, has explained why he helped connect former President Olusegun Obasanjo with Nigerian comedian and content creator, Isbae U, for his popular YouTube programme, Curiosity Made Me Ask.

Charly Boy, in a post on X on Monday, said he facilitated the meeting because he believed in creating opportunities for young Nigerians and encouraging older generations to engage with their ideas and platforms.

According to him, Obasanjo’s appearance on the programme demonstrated what could happen when experienced older Nigerians were willing to step into the world of younger people.

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“Sometimes, the greatest thing you fit give a young person no be money. Na opportunity. Look at wetin happen when Baba entered Bae U’s world,” he wrote.

READ ALSO: FULL TEXT: US Govt Releases Text Messages Between Charlie Kirk’s Suspect, Roommate

Charly Boy noted that Obasanjo, despite his age and experience, embraced the unconventional format of the programme and matched Isbae U’s energy.

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“A man of his age and experience sat down with a young man whose style dey completely different from wetin he is used to. Baba no just sit there looking serious. He matched the energy, played along and showed Nigerians another side of himself,” he said.

Explaining his role in bringing the two together, Charly Boy said he had enough confidence in the young people behind the programme to introduce them to the former president.

“And who helped make that connection happen? CharlyBoy. Fada believed in the young people behind that show enough to pull Baba into their space,” he said.

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READ ALSO: Charlyboy Reacts As Lagos Govt Renames Bus Stop After Olamide Baddo

Obasanjo’s appearance on Curiosity Made Me Ask attracted widespread attention after the former president joined in the programme’s trademark humour and banter with Isbae U.

The host jokingly introduced Obasanjo as his former employee, claiming that he had paid his salary, provided his food and paid his rent at Aso Rock between 1999 and 2007.

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Obasanjo played along with the joke while also responding to questions about contemporary Nigerian pop culture, including whether he knew music producer, Don Jazzy; dancer, Poco Lee; and content creator, Carter Efe.

The former president said he did not know them, prompting further banter from the host.

Reflecting on the wider significance of the interview, Charly Boy urged older Nigerians to do more than encourage young people to succeed, saying they should also create opportunities for them.

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READ ALSO: ‘I Dey Look For Life For My Son’ – Charly Boy Lists Qualifications For Applicants

“To the older generation: don’t only tell young people to succeed. Give them room. Open doors. Recommend them. Trust them with opportunities,” he wrote.

He also urged young Nigerians to prepare themselves to take advantage of opportunities when they come.

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“To the younger generation: don’t wait for somebody to hand you a future. Build something worth believing in. When opportunity comes, be ready,” he said.

Charly Boy called for greater collaboration between generations, saying such partnerships could create opportunities for both the young and old.

“When generations support each other, everybody gets to grow. Na so legacy suppose work,” he wrote.

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ORB Entertainment Launches Music Distribution Platform For African Artists

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ORB Entertainment has officially launched its digital music distribution platform to help independent African artists release music globally, manage their careers and retain control of their earnings.

Founded by Oluwaseun Ridwan Bamiro and headquartered in Lagos, ORB Entertainment provides artists with access to Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, TikTok and more than 150 other supported digital music platforms.

The company said the platform was developed to address some of the barriers faced by independent African musicians, including limited access to professional distribution infrastructure, high entry costs and difficulty managing releases across several services.

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Artists can create an account and begin with ORB’s free plan. The platform also offers paid plans with additional tools for artists who require broader release and career-management support. ORB charges no commission on artists’ royalties, allowing musicians on every plan to retain 100 per cent of the royalties received for their music.

READ ALSO: SpaceX To Build World’s Largest Launch Facility In Louisiana

“Our goal is to give independent African artists access to the infrastructure they need to build sustainable global careers,” Bamiro said. “Talented musicians should not need to sign away ownership or depend on a traditional record label before they can distribute their work professionally.”

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ORB’s release system enables artists to upload their recordings, submit metadata, manage artwork and select supported digital stores through one platform. The company reviews submitted releases within 24 hours, although the final processing and publication schedule remains subject to the requirements of each streaming service.

ORB’s growing catalogue includes “Sure Thing” by M26ix, with additional projects from the artist expected following the platform’s official launch. The company said its work with emerging artists demonstrates how independent African musicians can use accessible distribution infrastructure to reach wider audiences.

Beyond distribution, ORB provides tools designed to assist artists with release preparation, promotional content, audience development and copyright protection. The company said these services are intended to make professional music infrastructure more accessible to emerging creators.

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READ ALSO: SpaceX To Build World’s Largest Launch Facility In Louisiana

The launch comes as African music continues to attract international listeners and investment. However, many independent musicians still face challenges accessing the technology, industry knowledge and operational support needed to convert that attention into sustainable careers.

ORB Entertainment plans to expand its presence across more African markets while developing additional services for independent artists, labels and music professionals.

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“Our vision is to build an ecosystem in which African artists can release music, reach audiences and grow their businesses without losing control of their work,” Bamiro added.

The company said artists can begin on its free plan, making its distribution infrastructure accessible to emerging musicians who may not yet have the resources available to established acts.

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Why Funke Akindele Was Not At My Movie Premiere – Kamo State

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Popular skit maker and actor, Akinyoola Ayoola, better known as Kamo State, has explained why Nollywood actress Funke Akindele was absent from the premiere of his debut cinema film, Star Lomo.

Kamo State said Akindele could not attend the premiere because she was out of the country, dismissing speculation that her absence was connected to a disagreement between them.

The clarification came after Akindele’s absence from Sunday’s premiere in Lagos sparked reactions on social media, with some users questioning whether the actress and Kamo were still on good terms.

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In a statement shared on X on Monday, Kamo said, “I woke up to see different opinions online about Iyamii and myself. Please, we’re on good terms.”

READ ALSO: Funke Akindele Faces Backlash For Celebrating Birthday Hours Ogogo’s Death

He explained that Akindele had discussed the premiere with him but was unable to attend because she was outside the country.

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He said, “She missed my premiere simply because she wasn’t in the country and nothing more to it, so please don’t assume otherwise.”

Kamo added that Akindele had promised to support the film and urged people to stop speculating about their personal relationship.

Kamo added, “We’ve spoken about it, and she’s going to support this film. I’d appreciate it if our personal relationship isn’t speculated on. Let’s keep our focus on the film.”

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READ ALSO: Why I’m No Longer Seen With Funke Akindele — Kamo

Kamo’s relationship with Akindele became more prominent during the production and promotion of Everybody Loves Jenifa in 2024, after which he became closely associated with the actress.

He frequently appeared in content shared by Akindele on Snapchat, while the actress also hosted him and his wife and publicly supported some of his projects.

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Through his association with Akindele, Kamo featured in projects including Aiyetoro Town Season 2, Behind The Scenes and Everybody Loves Jenifa.

The pair were also seen together at several events, with Akindele regularly showing support for Kamo.

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