The organisers of the Headies Awards released the nominee list for the 18th edition of the ceremony on Tuesday, with Wizkid, Burna Boy, Adekunle Gold and Ayra Starr among the artists picking up multiple nods across the more than thirty categories on offer.
Wizkid leads the field with seven nominations. His album Morayo is up for Afrobeats Album of the Year, while “Jogodo,” his collaboration with Asake, is nominated for Song of the Year and Afrobeats Single of the Year. Wizkid also picked up nods for Best Male Artiste, Digital Artiste of the Year and Viewers’ Choice.
Davido also returns to the nominee list with a strong showing. His collaboration with Omah Lay, “With You,” picked up five nominations, including Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year, Best Recording of the Year, Best Headies Collaboration and Viewers’ Choice. The song’s video, directed by Director Pink and titled “10 Kilo,” is also nominated for Music Video of the Year. His album, 5ive, was shortlisted for Afrobeats Album of the Year.
Adekunle Gold followed with five nominations, spanning Best Male Artiste, Afrobeats Album of the Year for Fuji, Best Performer (Live) for his show at the National Theatre in Lagos, Best Vocal Performance (Male) for “I’m Not Done,” and Writer of the Year for “Many People.”
Ayra Starr recorded six nominations, including Best Female Artiste, Digital Artiste of the Year and Song of the Year for “Hot Body.” Burna Boy earned nominations in Best Male Artiste, Afrobeats Album of the Year for No Sign of Weakness, and Afrobeats Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “Bundle by Bundle.”
Emerging acts also featured prominently. Fido, Fola, Llona, Mavo and Shoday were named in the Next Rated category, which recognises new artists who made a mark on the Nigerian music scene during the qualifying period. Fola drew multiple nominations across categories, including Afrobeats Single of the Year for “You,” Best R&B Album for Catharsis, Digital Artiste of the Year and Writer of the Year.
The Best Female Artiste category lists Ayra Starr, Qing Madi, Sewa, Tems, Teni and Tiwa Savage. The Best R&B Album shortlist includes Kunmie’s Before We Became Strangers, Fola’s Catharsis, Qing Madi’s I Am the Blueprint, Tems’ Love Is a Kingdom, Tay Iwar’s Reflection Station and Tiwa Savage’s This One Is Personal.
The 18th Headies Awards will hold in Canada, though organisers have not announced a specific date or venue at the time of this report. As in previous years, categories are split between voting and non-voting sections, with the public able to weigh in on Viewers’ Choice.
The full nominee list spans regional recognitions such as West African Artiste, East African Artiste and Central African Artiste, as well as genre-specific awards including Rap Single, R&B Single and Best Alternative Album. Awilo Longomba was named to the Hall of Fame.
More names are expected to be confirmed as the Headies rolls out additional category announcements ahead of the ceremony.
