Entertainment
VIDEO: Odumodublvck Wins Next Rated Artist At 17th Headies Awards

Rapper Odumodublvck has emerged as the winner of the Next Rated Artist category at the 17th Headies Awards, surpassing fellow nominees Shallipopi, Qing Madi, and Ayo Maff.
The Next Rated award, one of the most prestigious honours at the Headies, is presented to promising talents making significant contributions to the Nigerian music scene.
The award was presented by music icon, Davido, and recognises Odumodublvck’s distinct style, blending gritty rap, street influences, and cultural storytelling — a combination that has quickly earned him a loyal following.
Born Tochukwu Ojogwu, Odumodublvck first gained widespread attention with his single “Declan Rice,” which showcased his bold lyricism and charismatic delivery. Known for infusing Nigerian street culture into his music while maintaining a unique sonic identity, he has been praised for pushing the boundaries of contemporary Nigerian rap.
The 17th edition of the Headies, dedicated to celebrating outstanding achievements in Nigerian music, was held on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos.
The event featured a star-studded gathering of the industry’s leading figures and performances from some of its brightest talents.
Other major winners included Zerry DL, Tems, Funke Akindele, and Rema.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: Davido Named Best Digital Artiste At 17th Headies Awards
Full list of winners:
Rookie of the Year
Zerry DL — Winner
Taves
Kaestyle
Llona
Soundtrack of the Year
“Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack” – TCJ and Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack) — Winner
“Eledumare” – Teledalase (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)
“Lose to Gain” – Kaline (Breathe of Life)
“Kill Boro” – Native Filmworks and Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)
“Orisa” – Beriola (Orisa)
“Emotions” – Tiwa Savage and Asa (Water and Garri)
Best Recording of the Year
“Burning” – Tems — Winner
“Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez
“Higher” – Burna Boy
“Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr and Giveon
“Billions” – Sarz and Lojay
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
“Billions” – Lojay — Winner
“Moving” – Omah Lay
“Gratitude” – Anendlessocean
“For You” – Johnny Drille
“Ke Na Ke So” – Timi Dakolo
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
“I’m Done” – Liya — Winner
“Last Song Heartbreak” – Ayra Starr
“Level” – Niniola
“Stranger” – Simi
“Tomorrow” – Yemi Alade
Special Recognition Award Recipients
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos
Alex Okosi
Amaju Pinnick
Songwriter of the Year
“Vision” – Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi) — Winner
“Stranger” – Simisola Kosoko (Simi)
“Can’t Breathe” – Michael Ajuma Attah (Llona)
“Family Meeting” – Emoseh Khamofu (Bloody Civilian)
“Stages of Life” – Fuayefika Maxwell (Wizard Chan)
READ ALSO: (FULL LIST) Davido, Mohbad, Tems, Others Shine At 17th Headies Awards
Humanitarian Award Recipients
Temitola Adekunle Johnson
Michelle Mukoro (King Mitchy)
Producer of the Year
“OZEBA” – London — Winner
“Happiness” – Sarz
“Basquiat” – Magicsticks
“HEHEHE” – Rema, Producer X, Cubeatz, Deatz and Klimperboy
“Different Patterns” – Dibs
Afrobeats Album of the Year
HEIS – Rema — Winner
Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn
Music Video of the Year
“EGWU” – Director Pink — Winner
“Charm” – Rema, Perliks and Folarin Oludare
“Metaverse” – Jyde Ajala
“Like Ice Spice” – Perliks and Emeka Shine Shine
“Ojapiano” – Mattmax
“Showa” – TG Omori
“Na Money” – Dammy Twitch
READ ALSO: Full List: Odumodublvck, Ayra Starr, Mohbad Jostle For Top Honours At 2024 Headies Awards
Afrobeats Single of the Year
“Big Baller” – Flavour — Winner
“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
“Twe Twe Remix” – Kizz Daniel
“Egwu” – Chike (feat. Mohbad)
“Remember” – Asake
“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
Headies’ Viewers’ Choice
“Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad — Winner
“Big Baller” – Flavour
“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel
“Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez
“OZEBA” – Rema
“Love Me Jeje” – Tems
“Cast” – Shallipopi (feat. Odumodublvck)
“Dealer” – Ayo Maff (feat. Fireboy DML)
Headies Next Rated
Odumodublvck — Winner
Qing Madi
Shallipopi
Ayo Maff
Nasboi
Best Digital Artiste of the Year
Davido — Winner
Ayra Starr
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Kizz Daniel
Asake
Best East African Artiste of the Year
Juma Jux (Tanzania) — Winner
Bien (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
Azawi (Uganda)
Watch video below:
Entertainment
Why I Prefer To Raise Kids In Nigeria – M.I Abaga

Nigerian rapper and music executive, M.I Abaga, has revealed that he would prefer to raise his future children in Nigeria because of the country’s strong sense of family and community.
Speaking in a recent interview, the hip-hop star said Nigeria offers a more supportive environment for raising children compared to some Western countries.
According to him, the communal lifestyle in Nigeria makes parenting easier, as relatives are often available to help.
READ ALSO:How My Fiancée kept Me From Temptations – Singer Spyro
He said, “There are a lot of things appealing about home, especially because we’re already ingrained in that system. There’s a lot of support as well. I feel it’s very difficult for parents here.
“But if you have family, now you have enough people that can stay at home and support you. But it’s not easy, man.”
M.I contrasted this with life abroad, particularly in the United States, where many people work long hours and family members may not be available to offer help.
READ ALSO:BREAKING: Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri Dumps PDP For APC
He added that while he understands the appeal of raising kids overseas, Nigeria provides a stronger foundation for children to understand their roots and culture before gaining exposure abroad.
Although M.I noted that he is not yet making concrete family plans, he emphasized that Nigeria’s close-knit culture remains one of its greatest advantages when it comes to raising children.
Entertainment
Oscar-winning Actress Diane Keaton Dead At 79 – Report

Actress Diane Keaton, known for her Oscar-winning performance in 1977’s “Annie Hall” and her role in “The Godfather” films, has died at age 79, People magazine reported Saturday.
Details were not immediately available, and Keaton’s loved ones have asked for privacy, a family spokesperson told People, which confirmed that the actress died in California.
Keaton, a style icon, was a frequent collaborator of director Woody Allen, portraying the titular character in “Annie Hall,” the charming girlfriend of Allen’s comic Alvy Singer.
The film also garnered Oscars for best picture, best director and best original screenplay, cementing Keaton’s place as one of the industry’s top actresses and an offbeat style icon as well.
READ ALSO:Full List Of Winners At Oscars 2025
The actress made her mark co-starring in eight Allen movies, from “Play in Again Sam” (1972) to “Manhattan” (1979) and “Manhattan Murder Mystery” (1993).
As the Hollywood sexual harassment scandals detonated in late 2017, cascading from producer Harvey Weinstein to heavyweight actors like Kevin Spacey, old accusations of child sex abuse against Allen by his adoptive daughter Dylan, resurfaced.
“Woody Allen is my friend and I continue to believe him,” Keaton tweeted in January 2018.
A BAFTA and Golden Globe winner, Keaton scored Oscar nominations three other times for best actress, for “Reds,” “Marvin’s Room” and “Something’s Gotta Give.”
READ ALSO:5 Nigerians Who Have Received Oscars Nomination, Award
In “The Godfather” films, she played Kay Adams, the girlfriend and eventual wife of Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone.
Late in her career, Keaton starred in two movies about ageing women: “Book Club” (2018), with its message that love has no age, and “Poms” (2019).
“Poms” is the story of Martha, a terminally ill woman who moves to a retirement community to die, but winds up forming a cheerleading squad made up of female senior citizens.
As for ageing, Keaton said in a 2019 interview with AFP that life actually got easier.
“I think so, because what have you got to lose? It’s like it’s the truth. That’s what it is. You face it, we talk about it,” she said.
READ ALSO:See Full List Of Winners At The 96th Oscars
Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles on January 5, 1946, Keaton was romantically involved with Allen, Pacino and Warren Beatty, but never married.
“Most people in the movies get married at some point, and then they divorce. But I’ve never even got married. I am (a) failure,” she joked in the 2019 interview.
Did she regret it? “I don’t think about it a lot, but I’m aware of the fact that I’m unusual in that regard, and maybe I did miss out on something — but then, nobody can have everything, right?”
She is survived by her two children, Dexter and Duke.
AFP
Entertainment
Why I Can’t Quit Music – Erigga

Nigerian rapper Erhiga Agarivbie, popularly known as Erigga, has revealed that he can’t quit music, stressing that he is doing it for passion and not for financial gains.
In an interview with Hip TV, Erigga noted that every year, some of his colleagues leave the music industry due to various circumstances.
However, he said he can’t quit because music is his life.
READ ALSO:Why I Will Never Date A Rapper Again – AKA’s Ex, Nadia Nakai
The rapper emphasised that his passion for music supersedes the financial and social benefits.
“Every year, people leave music for real-life issues. But I can’t stop. Music is life. It’s what keeps me going. Take the business and everything out of it, it’s more of a passion. I can’t disappoint my fans,” Erigga said.
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