Rema Tops 17th Headies Awards Nominations with 9 Nods

Last updated Feb 13, 2025

The acclaimed superstar, who holds the record for the most-streamed Afrobeats song on Spotify, received nominations in several major categories, including Album of the Year and Artist of the Year. He also earned recognition for Best Producer for his work on the single Hehehe and Best Video Director for co-directing Charm.

Close behind is his label mate, Ayra Starr, who secured nominations in eight categories. Her single Last Heartbreak Song earned her nods for Record of the Year, Best Female Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Song. She was also nominated for Best Album and Artist of the Year.

Rapper OdumoduBlvck is set to expand his Headies collection after earning eight nominations. His chart-topping hit Blood On The Dancefloor received nods for Best Collaboration and Best Rap Song.

Additionally, his contributions to Shallipopi’s Cast secured him nominations for Best Street Hop Star, Best Collaboration, Best Rap Single, and the Viewers’ Choice Award.

The rapper is also in the running for the prestigious Headies Next Rated Prize, competing alongside Shallipopi, Ayo Maff, Qing Madi, and Nasboi.

Kizz Daniel follows as the third most-nominated artist with seven nods. His hit single Showa is shortlisted for Song of the Year, while his collaboration with Davido, Twe Twe, earned nominations for Best Collaboration and Afrobeats Single of the Year.

Asake, Tems, and Shallipopi each secured six nominations. Asake’s sophomore album, Work of Art, and Tems’ debut LP, Born In The Wild, are both contenders for Album of the Year.

Tems’ Burning earned her two nominations for Record of the Year and Best R&B Single, while Asake’s Lonely At The Top secured a nod for Song of the Year.

Shallipopi’s Cast is in contention for Collaboration of the Year, Rap Song of the Year, and the Viewers’ Choice Award. He is also vying for Best Street Hop Act and the Next Rated Prize.

Seyi Vibez’s Different Pattern helped him land five nominations, including Record of the Year and Best Street Hop Act.

Davido also received five nominations, thanks to his feature on Kizz Daniel’s Twe Twe and his guest appearance on the remix of Ogechi by Boy Pee, Hyce, and Brown Joel.

The late hitmaker Mohbad received five nominations, with his hit collaboration Egwu featuring Chike competing for both Collaboration of the Year and Song of the Year.

Other artists with multiple nominations include Chike, Qing Madi, and Flavour, who each secured four nods.

Ayo Maff, Young Jonn, Bloody Civilian, Wizard Chan, and Simi are all tied with three nominations.

Nigerian-American rapper Wale is the most-nominated foreign artist, earning three nods for his contribution to OdumoduBlvck’s hit single Blood On The Dancefloor.

The full list of nominations for the 17th Headies Awards was unveiled on February 12, 2025. Fans can visit the awards’ official website to vote for their favorite artists.

According to the Headies, only music materials—including singles, videos, live recordings, EPs, and albums—released and distributed on digital streaming platforms or physical media (cassettes, CDs, and vinyl) within the eligibility period (April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024) were considered for nomination.

The 17th Headies is set to take place on April 5, 2025, marking the first of two ceremonies this year. The awards will return to Nigeria after being held in the United States for the past two editions.

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