The organizers of the prestigious Headies Awards have unveiled the nomination list for the 17th edition, highlighting outstanding contributions to the Nigerian music industry over the past year.
Leading the nominations is Tochukwu Ojogwu, popularly known as Odumodublvck, who secured a total of five nominations. Following closely behind are Ayra Starr, Shallipopi, and the late Mohbad, each earning three nominations. Mohbad’s posthumous recognition underscores his lasting impact on the industry despite his tragic passing on September 12, 2023.
The Headies nominations, released via the award body’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, feature several key categories. In the Best Rap Single category, Odumodublvck’s “Cast” featuring Shallipopi and “Blood on the Dance Floor” with Bloody Civilian and Wale secured nominations alongside tracks from Ladipoe, Magnito, and Jeriq.
The Best Collaboration category is also highly competitive, with Odumodublvck bagging two nominations for “Blood on the Dance Floor” and “Cast.” Other nominees include Tiwa Savage and Asa’s “Emotions,” Chike and Mohbad’s “Egwu,” Kizz Daniel and Davido’s “Twe Twe Remix,” as well as Wizkid and Zlatan’s “IDK.”
In the Afrobeats Single of the Year category, top contenders include “Big Big Things” by Young John featuring Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez, “Twe Twe Remix” by Kizz Daniel and Davido, “Egwu” by Chike featuring Mohbad, “Remember” by Asake, “Ogechi Remix” by Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel featuring Davido, and “Big Baller” by Flavour. The Best R&B Single category features Qing Madi’s “Vision,” Jonny Drille’s “For You,” Simi’s “Stranger,” Tems’ “Burning,” and Ayra Starr’s “Last Heartbreak Song” featuring Giveon.
Mohbad’s nominations include Best Street-Hop Artiste for “Ask About Me,” a Best Collaboration nod for his feature on Chike’s “Egwu,” and a posthumous nomination in the Afrobeats Single of the Year category. His recognition at the 2024 Headies reaffirms his influence and the legacy he left behind in the Nigerian music industry.
Other notable categories include Best Recording of the Year, with nominees such as Tems (“Burning”), Seyi Vibez (“Different Pattern”), Burna Boy (“Higher”), Ayra Starr and Giveon (“Last Heartbreak Song”), and Sarz and Lojay (“Billions”). The Producer of the Year category is also stacked with talented names, including Sarz (“Happiness”), London (“Ozeba”), Magicsticks (“Basquiat”), Rema and his production team (“Hehehe”), and Dibs (“Different Pattern”).
For Best Vocal Performance (Female), nominees include Ayra Starr for “Last Heartbreak Song,” Niniola for “Level,” Simi for “Stranger,” Liya for “I’m Done,” and Yemi Alade for “Tomorrow.” The Songwriter of the Year category highlights top lyricists, including Simisola Kosoko for “Stranger” (Simi), Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma for “Vision” (Qing Madi), Michael Ajuma Attah for “Can’t Breathe” (Llona), Emoseh Khamofu for “Family Meeting” (Bloody Civilian), and Fuayefika Maxwell for “Stages of Life” (Wizard Chan).
As the countdown to the 2024 Headies Awards begins, fans and music lovers eagerly anticipate which artists will take home the prestigious awards. The event is expected to celebrate the best of Nigerian and African music, recognizing those who have shaped the industry with their creativity and artistry.
