And the Headies Goes to…

Vanessa Obioha

Tonight,Nigeria’s music superstars and creatives will gather at the Landmark Event Centre for the 17th edition of The Headies,the annual music awards. After a hiatus last year,The Headies is making a grand return with not just one,but two editions. Its 18th is slated for later this year.

As one of the pioneering award shows spotlighting young and emerging talents,The Headies has evolved into more than just a celebration of music. Its last two editions were held in the United States,in partnership with the U.S. Consulate in Lagos. Now back to base,as its theme suggests,is embracing a broader agenda. One of its newest additions is the Headies Creative Summit,where industry players discuss pressing issues and trends while sharing insights with rising talents.

With 31 categories,including the non-voting category Special Recognition award,which will be given to the ‘Ojapiano’ crooner,KCee,the nominations this year are jam-packed with heavyweights. In the Artiste of the Year category,it’s a superstar showdown as Burna Boy,Davido,Ayra Starr,Tems,Asake,and Rema are all nominees. For the year under review (April 1,2023,to July 31,2024),these artistes made massive waves with chart-topping hits and music tours,but only one will take home the coveted title.

The Song of the Year category is just as heated,with nominees like ‘Showa’ (Kizz Daniel),‘Commas’ (Ayra Starr),‘Egwu’ (Chike And Mohbad),‘Lonely At The Top’ (Asake),‘Ozeba’ (Rema),and ‘Big Baller’ (Flavour). The frontrunners in this category are ‘Big Baller’ and ‘Egwu’ which dominated airwaves and dance floors throughout the year under review.

One of the most watched and often controversial categories is Next Rated,which recognizes the most promising act. It was this category that led to Don Jazzy and Olamide’s rivalry in 2015 when Olamide lashed out after his artiste Lil Kesh lost the award to Reekado Banks,who was signed to Don Jazzy label. Since that notorious episode,it’s become one of the most anticipated awards. This year,the category is male-dominated,with Qing Madi standing as the sole female nominee. Others include Shallipopi,Odumodublvck,Ayo Maff,and Nasboi.

All eyes will also be on the Afrobeats album of the year which honours the best Afrobeats project during the eligibility period. While debates about what truly defines ‘Afrobeats’ continue,the nominees are widely regarded as flag bearers of the genre: Victony’s ‘Stubborn,’ Asake’s ‘Work of Art,’ Ayra Starr’s ‘The Year I Turned 21,’ Rema’s ‘Heis’ and Young Jonn’s Jiggy Forever.

Tonight’s event no doubt will have all the Glitz and glamour that the Headies is known for but most importantly will see the coronation of a new class of stars ready to stake their claim in Nigerian music history.