Headies 2025: The Best of African Music Celebrated in Lagos with a Mix of Triumphs and Technical Setbacks
The glitzy 17th Headies Awards made its grand return to Lagos after two years in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, bringing together the biggest names in African music for an unforgettable night at the Eko Convention Centre. This year's theme, “Back to Base” and “Apologetically African,” celebrated African excellence in music during the eligibility period of April 1, 2023 - July 31, 2024, and introduced new categories, including Best Performer (Live) and Soundtrack of the Year.
While the evening was filled with stunning performances and emotional moments, the event was also marred by technical issues and poor time management, forcing organizers to cut the ceremony short. By 3:32am WAT, major categories like Best R&B Single, Best Collaboration, Best Rap Album, and others were left unannounced.
Despite these setbacks, the awards still shone a spotlight on some incredible talents. Mohbad took home the Best Street-Hop Artiste award posthumously for his hit song “Ask About Me”, while Funke Akindele’s groundbreaking movie ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ claimed the Soundtrack of the Year award.
Notable Winners:
Best Recording of the Year: Tems - Burning
Artiste of the Year: Davido
Next Rated: Odumodublvck
Song of the Year: Asake - Lonely At The Top
Afrobeats Album of the Year: Rema - HEIS
Best Rap Single: Shallipopi & Odumodublvck - Cast
Best Vocal Performance (Male): Lojay - Billions
Best Vocal Performance (Female): Liya - I’m Done
Categories to Look Out for in 2026:
Best Performer (Live): Burna Boy, Rema, Flavour, and others contended for this exciting new category.
Best Digital Artiste of the Year: Davido emerged as the winner, solidifying his impact not just in music, but in the digital space too.
The Debate Over Awards for the Deceased:
The posthumous recognition of Mohbad, Nigeria's beloved street-hop icon, sparked conversations online. Many celebrated the move as a deserving tribute to the late artist's contributions to the culture, while others questioned why the recognition came after his tragic passing. The ongoing conversation about posthumous awards raises an important point: are we truly honoring our artists when they’re alive, or do we wait until it’s too late?
In an industry as fast-paced as African music, where talent often burns brightly and fades quickly, it’s crucial to strike a balance between recognizing the living and remembering the lost.
Technical Glitches and Time Issues:
While the Headies Awards have always been a landmark event for the African music scene, the hiccups this year—ranging from delays to technical difficulties—left many fans frustrated. It begs the question: Can a major award ceremony such as this manage its growing scale and popularity? Will the 18th edition see improvements in time management and smooth execution?
Overall, while the technical setbacks cast a shadow over the night, the talent and celebrations at the 17th Headies highlighted the incredible contributions of African musicians to global culture.
What did you think of the Headies 2025? Let’s talk about your favorite moments! 🎤✨
#Headies2025 #AfricanMusicExcellence #PosthumousAwards #Mohbad #Rema #BurnaBoy #Lagos
