The Headies, Nigeria’s most prestigious award show, took place Sunday, September 3rd, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center, Atlanta Georgia, USA. This is the 16th year for the award show, and the second to be held in Atlanta, celebrating the different artistic brilliance of Pan-African talent.
Over the years, the show has acknowledged and celebrated the best in African music, culture, and Afrobeats, featuring sounds from South, East, Central, North, and West Africa.
The show was hosted by Emmy Award-nominated actor Terrence J. and co-hosted by Nigerian-American actress Osas Ighodaro.
The show included over 20 categories, including Rookie of the Year, Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year, to mention a few.
Selena Gomez won the International Artist of the Year this year, and the International Special Recognition Award went to Sean Love Combs.
Burna Boy, Victony, Rema, Ayra Starr, Asake, and Blaqbonez, among others, were winners in different categories.
Wande Coal, Asake, Victony, and Ayra Star were among those who gave electrifying performances at the ceremony.
Below is a full list of winners in each category:
BEST RAP SINGLE: ‘Declan Rice’ by ODUMODUBLVCK
BEST MALE VOCAL PERFORMANCE: ‘Kpe Paso’ by Wande Coal
BEST ALTERNATIVE SONG: ‘Tinko Tinko’ by Obong Jayar
BEST VIDEO DIRECTOR: ‘Calm Down’ by Director K (Rema)
BEST RAP ALBUM: ‘Young Preacher‘ by Blaqbonez
LYRICIST ON THE ROLL: ‘Flytalk Only’ by Payper Corleone
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: ‘Abracadabra’by Rexxie
BEST MALE ARTIST: Rema
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: ODUMODUBLVCK
BEST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: ‘Eze Ebube’ by Neon Adejo
AFROBEATS SINGLE OF THE YEAR: ‘Last Last’ by Burna Boy
SPECIAL RECOGNITION: Sound Sultan
DIGITAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: ‘Calm Down’ by Rema
BEST STREET HIP-HOP ARTISTE: ‘Chance (Na Ham)’ by Seyi Vibez
NEXT-RATED: Asake
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: ‘Mr. Money With The Vibe’ by Asake
BEST COLLABORATION: ‘Who’s Your Guy Remix’ by Spyro, Tiwa Savage
AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR: Rema (Nigeria)
BEST WEST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR: Black Sherif (Ghana)
BEST R&B Album: ‘The Brother’s Keeper’ by Chike
INTERNATIONAL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR: Selena Gomez
BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR: ‘Soweto’ by Victony, Tempoe
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE): ‘In Between’ by Waje
BEST CENTRAL AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR: Libianca (Cameroon)
HEADIES VIEWERS’ CHOICE: ‘Soweto’ by Victony
BEST EAST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR: Diamond Platinumz (Tanzania)
BEST NORTH AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR: El Grande Toto (Morocco)
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: ‘Loyal’ by Simi Kosoko, Goodsfavour Chidozie, Kosoko Adekunle, Marcel Akunwata
BEST R&B SINGLE: ‘For My Hand’ by Burna Boy
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE: Ayra Starr
BEST SOUTHERN AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR: Focalistic (South Africa)
BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM: ‘Gbagada Express’ by BOJ
HALL OF FAME: Youssou N’dour
In a related development, a three-minute video emphasizing the Somalia situation and UNFPA’s work was shown as part of the collaboration during the 16th Annual Headies Awards, which took place in Atlanta, Georgia. The showing of this movie aided in spreading knowledge of and support for UNFPA’s initiatives to deal with the Somalia problem.
Niyi Ojuolape, Country Representative, UNFPA Somalia, said, “We are happy to join with The Headies to bring attention to the pressing humanitarian crisis in Somalia, particularly for women and girls. Through this alliance, we can raise their voices and gather funding to aid those who are most in need.
Simha Asuquo contributes from Lagos Nigeria
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