It’s that time of the year again when the Nigerian music industry rolls out the red carpet to celebrate its finest talents. The Headies, Nigeria’s most prestigious music award, has announced the full list of nominees for its 16th edition. Although the official date for the award ceremony is yet to be confirmed, the anticipation is already at fever pitch.
The Nominees
The Headies has always been a platform that recognizes and rewards excellence in the Nigerian music industry. This year’s list of nominees is a testament to the diverse and vibrant talent that the industry has to offer. From the soulful melodies of Burna Boy and Omah Lay to the pulsating beats of Rexxie and Pheelz, the nominees list is a reflection of the eclectic sounds that have defined the Nigerian music scene in the past year.
Best Recording of the Year
This category is a showcase of the best single recording by an artiste or group in the year under review. The nominees are:
- “Alone” by Burna Boy
- “Soweto” by Victony and Tempoe
- “I’m a Mess” by Omah Lay
- “Ku lo sa” By Oxlade
- “Stand Strong” by Davido
- “No Woman, No Cry” by Tems
Producer of the Year
This category is for the individual responsible for producing the most acclaimed song or album in the year under review. The nominees are:
- Magicstickz (Sungba Remix)
- Pheelz (Electricity)
- Andrevibez & London (Calm Down)
- Tempoe (Soweto)
- Kel-P (Kpe Paso)
- Rexxie (Abracadabra)
Songwriter of the Year
This category is for a songwriter responsible for writing the most creative and impactful song in the year under review. The nominees are:
- “Loyal” Simi
- “I’m a Mess” Omah Lay
- “Lift Me Up” Tems
- “Alone” Burna Boy
- “In My Mind” BNXN fka Buju
- “Earth Song” Wizard Chan
Best R&B Single
This category is for the best R&B single in the year under review (by single individual or group). The nominees are:
- “For My Hand” by Burna Boy ft ED Sheeran
- “Mmadu” by CKay
- “Just 4 u” by Dami Oniru
- “Red Wine” By Preye
- “Hard to Find” by Chike ft Flavour
- “Loyal” by Simi ft Fave
Best Rap Single
This category is for a single rap song on an album or previously released single by an artiste or group. The nominees are:
- “Hustle” by Reminisce ft BNXN
- “Big Energy” by Ladi Poe
- “Back in Uni” by Blaq Bonez
- “Bando Diaries” by Psycho YP ft Odumodublvck
- “Declan Rice” by Odumodublvck
- “My Bro” by Jeriq the Hussla ft Phyno
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
This category is for the single female artiste with the most outstanding vocal performance on a single song or album. The nominees are:
- “Loyal” Simi
- “In Between” Waje
- “Memories” Niniola
- “Adua Remix” Liya
- “Red Wine” Preye Itams
- “Just 4 U” Dami Oniru
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
This category is for the single male artiste with the most outstanding vocal performance on a single song or album. The nominees are:
- “KU LO SA” Oxlade
- “My Only Baby” Ric Hassani
- “Love Don’t Cost a Dime” Magixx
- “Spell Remix” Chike
- “Reckless” Praiz
- “Kpe Paso” Wande Coal
Best Alternative Song
This category is for the artiste whose songs reflect any form or style of music which falls outside the mainstream of recent or past popular musical trends. The nominees are:
- “Earth Song” by Wizard Chan
- “Final Champion” by Cruel Santino
- “The Traveller” by Basket Mouth and The Cavemen
- “In a Loop” By BOJ ft Mellissa
- “Game Changer” by Flavour
- “Tinko Tinko” by Obongjayar
Best Music Video
This category is for the best conceptualist, best directed and most exciting video in the year under review. This award goes to the video director. The nominees are:
- “Back in Uni” by Blaq Bonez Perliks
- “PBUY” By TG Omori
- “Spell (Remix)” by Director Pink
- “Common Person” By Director K
- “Bandana” by TG Omori
- “Calm Down (Remix)” by Director K
Best Collaboration
This category is for the best R&B, Pop or Hip-hop collaborative track (including cameos). The nominees are:
- ASAKE FT. BURNA BOY – “SUNGBA REMIX”
- BNXN FT KIZZ DANIEL & SEYI VIBEZ – “GWAGWALADA”
- PHEELZ FT BNXN – “FINESSE”
- SPYRO FT. TIWA SAVAGE – “WHO’S YOUR GUY REMIX”
- PHEELZ FT DAVIDO – “ELECTRICITY”
- WANDE COAL FT. OLAMIDE – “KPE PASO”
Best Street-Hop Artiste
This category is for the artiste whose songs are inspired by the streets, an artiste who has had the biggest impact on the scene in the last year. The nominees are:
- REXXIE FT. NAIRA MARLEY & SKIIBII – “ABRACADABRA”
- SEYI VIBEZ – “CHANCE (NA HAM)”
- ASAKE – “JOHA”
- ZLATAN FT. YOUNG JONN – “ASTALAVISTA”
- POCO LEE & HOTKID – “OTILO”
- MOHBAD – “PEACE”
Afrobeats Single of the Year
This category is for the best Afrobeats single in the year under review (by single individual or group). The nominees are:
- “LAST LAST” – BURNA BOY
- “RUSH” – AYRA STARR
- “BUGA” – KIZZ DANIEL & TEKNO
- “FINESSE” – PHEELZ FT BNXN
- “WHO’S YOUR GUY?” – SPYRO
- “ASIWAJU” – RUGER
Headies’ Viewers’ Choice
This category is to award the fan’s favorite artiste with the most digital tractions (downloads, views, streams) in the year under review. The nominees are:
- RUGER – “ASIWAJU”
- VICTONY & TEMPOE – “SOWETO”
- FIREBOY DML & ASAKE – “BANDANA”
- AYRA STAR – “RUSH”
- ASAKE – “TERMINATOR”
- MAVINS – “OVERLOADING (OVERDOSE)”
- CRAYON – “IJO (LABA LABA)”
- OXLADE – “KU LO SA”
- KIZZ DANIEL & TEKNO – “BUGA”
- PHEELZ & DAVIDO – “ELECTRICITY”
Best West African Artiste of the Year
This category is for the best artiste from the West African region. The nominees are:
- GYAKIE (GHANA)
- BLACK SHERIF (GHANA)
- THE THERAPIST (LIBERIA)
- CAMIDOH (GHANA)
Best East African Artiste of the Year
This category is for the best artiste from the East African region. The nominees are:
- ZUCHU
- DIAMOND PLATINUMZ
- RAYVANNY
- EDDY KENZO
- HEWAN GEBREWORLD
Best North African Artiste of the Year
This category is for the best artiste from the North African region. The nominees are:
- MARWA LOUD – MOROCCO
- WEGZ – EGYPT
- EL GRANDE TOTO – MOROCCO
- SOOLKING – ALGERIA
Best Southern African Artiste of the Year
This category is for the best artiste from the Southern African region. The nominees are:
- AKA (SOUTH AFRICA)
- NASTY C – SOUTH AFRICA
- COSTA TITCH – SOUTH AFRICA
- UNCLE WAFFLES – SOUTH AFRICA
- FOCALISTIC – SOUTH AFRICA
- DJ TARICO – MOZAMBIQUE
Best Central African Artiste of the Year
This category is for the best artiste from the Central African region. The nominees are:
- FALLY IPUPA – DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
- GAZ MAWETE – DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
- MATIAS DAMASIO – ANGOLA
- EMMA’A – GABON
- LIBIANCA – CAMEROON
Best R&B Album
This category is for the best R&B album in the year under review (solo or group). The nominees are:
- HOME – JOHNNY DRILLE
- THE BROTHER’S KEEPER – CHIKE
- RECKLESS – PRAIZ
- WAJE 2.0 – WAJE
- MATTER OF TIME – DAMI ONIRU
- TO BE HONEST (TBH) – SIMI
Best Alternative Album
This category is for the best alternative album in the year under review (solo or group). The nominees are:
- HOROSCOPES – BASKETMOUTH
- GBAGADA EXPRESS – BOJ
- SOME NIGHTS I DREAM OF DOORS – OBONGJAYAR
- SUBARU BOYS: FINAL HEAVEN – CRUEL SANTINO
- HEART OF THE HEAVENLY UNDENIABLE – SOMADINA
- NATIVE WORLD – NATIVE SOUND SYSTEM
Best Rap Album
This category is for the best album by a rap artiste or group in the year under review. The nominees are:
- FLY TALK ONLY – PAYPER CORLEONE
- PALMWINE MUSIC VOL 3 – SHOW DEM CAMP
- YOUNG PREACHER – BLAQBONEZ
- YPSZN3 – PSYCHOYP
- TESLIM: THE ENERGY STILL LIVES IN ME – VECTOR
- BILLION DOLLAR DREAM – JERIQ
Album of the Year
This category is for the best album (solo or group) in the year under review, that meets judges’ requirements of excellence (songwriting, production, rendition and promotion) and acceptability (Sales and popularity). The nominees are:
- LOVE, DAMINI – BURNA BOY
- MR MONEY WITH THE VIBE – ASAKE
- RAVE AND ROSES – REMA
- BOY ALONE – OMAH LAY
- OUTLAW – VICTONY
- TIMELESS – DAVIDO
Song of the Year
This category is for the most popular song in the year under review. The nominees are:
- “CALM DOWN” – REMA
- “LAST LAST” – BURNA BOY
- “KU LO SA” – OXLADE
- “BUGA” – KIZZ DANIEL & TEKNO
- “FINESSE” – PHEELZ FT. BNXN
- “SUNGBA REMIX” – ASAKE FT. BURNA BOY
Best Female Artiste
This category is for the female artiste with the best overall impact in the year under review. The nominees are:
- TEMS
- SIMI
- AYRA STARR
- TIWA SAVAGE
That completes the list of categories and nominees for the 16th Headies Award 2023. For more detailed information or updates, please visit the official Headies website or stay tuned to Mandy News.
A Celebration of Nigerian Music
The Headies is more than just an award ceremony. It is a celebration of the Nigerian music industry and its contribution to the global music scene. The nominees list is a testament to the hard work, creativity, and talent that abound in the industry.
As we await the official date for the award ceremony, let’s take a moment to appreciate the nominees and their contributions to the Nigerian music industry. Whether they win or not, they are all winners in their own right.
Stay tuned to Mandy News for more updates on the Headies Awards 2023.
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Source: MandyNews.com
