The biggest stars in African music gathered at the Eko Convention Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday night, as The Headies Awards made a much-anticipated return to Nigeria after two consecutive editions in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.
The 17th Headies, themed “Back to Base” and “Apologetically African,” celebrated musical excellence for the eligibility period spanning April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024. This year’s edition also saw the introduction of two new categories: “Soundtrack of the Year” and “Best Performer (Live),” further expanding the awards’ reach in recognising artistic achievement.
Despite the excitement, the event was marred by poor time management and technical glitches. DAILY NEWS ONLINE reports that organisers were forced to abruptly end the ceremony before winners were announced in several major categories. As of 3:32 am WAT, no winners had been announced for awards such as Best R&B Single, Best Collaboration, Lyricist on the Roll, Best Rap Album, and others.
Funke Akindele’s blockbuster film, A Tribe Called Judah, clinched the newly introduced Soundtrack of the Year award.
Below is the list of winners announced:
Best Recording of the Year: Tems – Burning
Best Vocal Performance (Male): Lojay – Billions
Best Vocal Performance (Female): Liya – I’m Done
Artiste of the Year: Yet to be announced
Next Rated Award: Odumodublvck
Rookie of the Year: Zerry DL
Album of the Year: Yet to be announced
Song of the Year: Asake – Lonely At The Top
Songwriter of the Year: Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma for Vision (Qing Madi)
Best Collaboration: Yet to be announced
Music Video of the Year: Director Pink for Egwu
Best Street-hop Artiste: Mohbad – Ask About Me
Best R&B Single: Yet to be announced
Afrobeats Single of the Year: Flavour – Big Baller
Afrobeats Album of the Year: Rema – HEIS
Best Rap Single: Shallipopi and Odumodublvck – Cast
Best Rap Album: Yet to be announced
Producer of the Year: London – Ozeba
Digital Artiste of the Year: Davido
Lyrics on the Roll: Yet to be announced
Best Performer (Live): Yet to be announced
Viewers’ Choice: Chike ft. Mohbad – Egwu
Soundtrack of the Year: A Tribe Called Judah – Abbey Wonder & TCJ
Best Inspirational Single: Yet to be announced
Best Southern African Artiste of the Year: Yet to be announced
Best North African Artiste of the Year: Yet to be announced
Best East African Artiste of the Year: Juma Jux (Tanzania)
Best West African Artiste of the Year: Yet to be announced
Best Central African Artiste of the Year: Innoss’B (DR Congo)
Despite the ceremony’s shortcomings, several moments stood out, including wins for breakout stars like Odumodublvck and Zerry DL, and emotional tributes to late singer Mohbad.
