Ayodeji Ayenuwa
The 16th Headies Awards, celebrating the best in African music, unfolded on Sunday, September 3, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia, marking the event’s second consecutive year in the United States. Since its inception in 2006, the Headies has been a cornerstone in acknowledging the achievements of the Nigerian music industry, making it the most coveted accolade in Nigerian music.
Rema emerged as the standout winner, securing three awards, while Burna Boy also shone brightly with his hit ‘Last Last,’ earning him the Afrobeats Single of the Year award. Asake took home the Next Rated award and Album of the Year for ‘Mr. Money With The Vibe.’ Other notable awardees included Seyi Vibez, ODUMODUBLVCK, and Victony.
Here’s the complete list of winners:
– BEST ALTERNATIVE SONG: ‘Tinko Tinko’ by Obong Jayar
– BEST VIDEO DIRECTOR: ‘Calm Down’ by Director K (Rema)
– BEST RAP SINGLE: ‘Declan Rice’ by ODUMODUBLVCK
– BEST MALE VOCAL PERFORMANCE: ‘Kpe Paso’ by Wande Coal
– 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
– BEST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: ‘Eze Ebube’ by Neon Adejo
– AFROBEATS SINGLE OF THE YEAR: ‘Last Last’ by Burna Boy
– ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: ODUMODUBLVCK
– 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)
– 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 R&B Album: ‘The Brother’s Keeper’ by Chike
– HEADIES VIEWERS’ CHOICE: ‘Soweto’ by Victony
– 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 EAST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR: Diamond Platinumz (Tanzania)
– BEST NORTH AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR: El Grande Toto (Morocco)
– BEST CENTRAL AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR: Libianca (Cameroon)
– BEST SOUTHERN AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR: Focalistic (South Africa)
– BEST WEST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR: Black Sherif (Ghana)
– BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM: ‘Gbagada Express’ by BOJ
– HALL OF FAME: Youssou N’dour
The Headies Awards continue to recognize and honor the outstanding artists that are reshaping the African music scene.
