Afrobeats Excellence: Full List of 17th Headies Awards Nominees Unveiled
Rookie of the Year
A voting category recognizing an emerging artist who has had a successful year musically without releasing an album during the review period.
- Zerry DL
- Taves
- Kaestyle
- Llona
Best Recording of the Year
A non-voting category awarded to the best recording based on excellence in songwriting, production, and rendition.
- TEMS – Burning
- SEYI VIBEZ – Different Pattern
- BURNA BOY – Higher
- AYRA STARR & GIVEON – Last Heartbreak Song
- SARZ feat. LOJAY – Billions
Songwriter of the Year
A non-voting category recognizing outstanding songwriting excellence.
- Simisola Kosoko – Stranger (Simi)
- Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma – Vision (Qing Madi)
- Michael Ajuma Attah – Can’t Breathe (Llona)
- Emoseh Khamofu – Family Meeting (Bloody Civilian)
- Fuayefika Maxwell – Stages of Life (Wizard Chan)
Best R&B Single
Recognizing the best R&B single of the year by an individual or group.
- Qing Madi – Vision
- Johnny Drille – For You
- Simi – Stranger
- TEMS – Burning
- Ayra Starr feat. Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
Producer of the Year
Awarded to an individual or group responsible for producing the most acclaimed song or album of the year.
- Sarz – Happiness
- London – Ozeba
- Magicstick – Basquiat
- Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Kilmerboy – Hehehe
- Dibs – Different Pattern
Best Rap Single
A voting category for the best rap song released on-air and streaming platforms.
- Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast
- Odumodublvck feat. Bloody Civilian & Wale – Blood on the Dance Floor
- Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morrelo – Hallelujah
- Magnito – Canada
- Jeriq – Ije Nwoke
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
A non-voting category for the female artist with the most outstanding vocal performance on a song or album.
- Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song
- Niniola – Level
- Simi – Stranger
- Liya – I’m Done
- Yemi Alade – Tomorrow
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
A non-voting category for the male artist with the most outstanding vocal performance on a song or album.
- Lojay – Billions
- Omah Lay – Moving
- Anendlessocean – Gratitude
- Johnny Drille – For You
- Timi Dakolo – Ke Na Ke So
Music Video of the Year
A voting category recognizing the best conceptualized, directed, and most exciting music video of the year.
- Rema – Charm (Directed by Rema, Perlix & Folarin Oludare)
- Olamide – Metaverse (Directed by Jyde Ajala)
- Blaqbonez – Like Ice Spice (Directed by Perlix & Emeka Shine Shine)
- Kcee – Ojapiano (Directed by Mattmax)
- Chike & Mohbad – Egwu (Directed by Director Pink)
- Kizz Daniel – Showa (Directed by TG Omori)
- Davido feat. The Cavemen & Angélique Kidjo – Na Money (Directed by Dammy Twitch)
Best Collaboration
Recognizing the best collaborative track in R&B, pop, hip-hop, or Afrobeats.
- Tiwa Savage feat. Asa – Emotions
- Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian & Wale – Blood on the Dance Floor
- Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast
- Chike & Mohbad – Egwu
- Qing Madi & BNXN – Ole
- Kizz Daniel & Davido – Twe Twe Remix
- Wizkid feat. Zlatan – IDK
Best Street-Hop Artiste
Awarded to the artist whose music is inspired by the streets and has gained widespread popularity.
- Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
- Ayo Maff feat. Fireboy DML – Dealer
- Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast
- Zhus JDO – Johnbull
- Mohbad – Ask About Me
Afrobeats Single of the Year
Recognizing the best Afrobeats single by an individual or group.
- 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
Best Inspirational Single
A voting category for the best inspirational single of the year.
- Anendlessocean – Gratitude
- Dunsin Oyekan feat. Lawrence Oyor – Worthy of My Praise
- Limoblaze feat. Naomi Raine – Good God 2
- Gaise Baba feat. Tope Alabi – Particularly
- Mercy Chinwo – You Do This One
Best West African Artiste of the Year
- Black Sherif (Ghana) – January 9th
- King Promise (Ghana) – Terminator
- Himra (Ivory Coast) – Coulibaly & Diabaté
- Josey (Ivory Coast) – Venez Bouger
- Toofan (Togo) – Tone
Best East African Artiste of the Year
- Bien (Kenya) – Wahala
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) – Mapoz
- Juma Jux (Tanzania) – Enjoy
- Bruce Melodie (Rwanda) – When She’s Around
- Azawi (Uganda) – Masavu
Best International Artiste of the Year
- Wale – Blood on the Dance Floor (Odumodublvck)
- Skepta – Tony Montana (feat. Portable)
- Chris Brown – Hmmm (feat. Davido)
- Travis Scott – Active (Asake)
- Chloe Bailey – Vision Remix (Qing Madi)
– AMG Records
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