NEWS
Headies 2022 Award: Full List of Nominees
The Headies has released the full nomination list for their 2022 headies award – Nigeria’s biggest music award to date.
The Headies organizers promised the list will be made available to the public today 24th April 2022 and they have fulfilled that promise. The list honors songs from parts of 2020 and all of 2021, with 2022 not considered.
See the full list of Headies 2022 nominees below;
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:
A voting category for the rookie of the year who has had a successful year musically, with the absence of an album in the year under review.
AV
FAVE
MAGIXX
PORTABLE
UGOCCIE
BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR
A non-voting category for the best recording (that meets the judges’ requirements of excellence; songwriting, production, rendition) by an artiste or group in the year under review.
“CELEBRATE ME” – PATORANKING
“ESSENCE” – WIZKID FEAT. TEMS
“JOY” – FALANA
“LOVING IS HARDER” – JOHNNY DRILLE
“MEJI MEJI” – BRYMO
“SOMEBODY’S SON” – TIWA SAVAGE FEAT. BRANDY
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
An individual responsible for producing the most acclaimed song or album in the year under review.
BEATS BY JAYY – “GOLDEN” (A-Q)
BLAISE BEATZ – “SINNER” (ADEKUNLE GOLD FEAT. LUCKY DAYE)
NIPHKEYS – “FEEL GOOD” (MOHBAD)
P PRIIME – “OZUMBA MBADIWE” (REEKADO BANKS)
PHEELZ – “HIGH” (ADEKUNLE GOLD FEAT. DAVIDO)
SARZ – “MONALISA” (LOJAY & SARZ)
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR:
A non-voting category for the writer of a song (that meets the judges’ requirements of excellence, composition, arrangement, rendition) in the year under review.
⦁ ADEKUNLE GOLD – “SINNER”
⦁ AJEBO HUSTLERS – “LOYALTY”
⦁ BRYMO – “MEJI MEJI”
⦁ FALANA – “JOY”
⦁ FIREBOY DML – “PERU”
⦁ OMAH LAY – “UNDERSTAND”
BEST R&B SINGLE
A category for the best r&b single in the year under review (by a single individual or group).
⦁ “BABY RIDDIM” – FAVE
⦁ “BEGGIE BEGGIE” – AYRA STARR FEAT. CKAY
⦁ “ESSENCE” – WIZKID FEAT. TEMS
⦁ “RUNNING (TO YOU)” – CHIKE FEAT. SIMI
⦁ “PROMISE” – NINIOLA
⦁ “SINNER” – ADEKUNLE GOLD FEAT. LUCK DAYE
BEST RAP SINGLE
A voting category for a single (released on-air) recording of a rap song.
⦁ “BREATHE” – A-Q FEAT CHIKE
⦁ “CROWN OF CLAY” – VECTOR & MI ABAGA FEAT. PHEELZ
⦁ “EARLY MOMO” – VECTOR FEAT. GOODGIRL LA
⦁ “FEELING” – LADIPOE FEAT. BNXN
⦁ “TYCOON” – SHOW DEM CAMP FEAT. REMINISCE & MOJO
⦁ “LOADING” – OLAMIDE FEAT BAD BOY TIMZ
BEST ‘ALTERNATIVE’ SONG
A voting category for the artiste whose songs reflect any form or style of music which falls outside the mainstream of recent or past popular musical trends.
⦁ “DOINGS” – FLAVOUR
⦁ “FREE YOUR MIND” – MADE KUTI
⦁ “GONTO” – IBEJII
⦁ “HUSTLE” – BASKETMOUTH, THE CAVEMEN, BEZ, DICE AILES
⦁ “MEJI MEJI” – BRYMO
⦁ “SELENSE” – THE CAVEMEN
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)
A non-voting category for the single female artiste with most outstanding vocal performances on a single song or album.
⦁ AYRA STARR – “TOXIC”
⦁ LIYA – “ALARI”
⦁ NINIOLA – “6TH HEAVEN”
⦁ SIMI – “RUNNING (TO YOU)”
⦁ TEMS – “ESSENCE”
⦁ WAJE – “LAST TIME”
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE(MALE)
A non-voting category for the single male artiste with the most outstanding vocal performance on a single song or album.
⦁ BRYMO – “MEJI MEJI”
⦁ JOHNNY DRILLE – “LOVING IS HARDER”
⦁ OXLADE – “OJUJU”
⦁ RIC HASSANI – “WHEN I’M GONE”
⦁ TAY IWAR – “PEAKING”
LYRICIST ON THE ROLL
A non-voting category for the rap artiste with the best lyrical depth and performance on a single song or album.
⦁ A-Q – “THE LAST CYPHER”
⦁ BLAQBONEZ – “THE LAST CYPHER”
⦁ JESSE JAGZ – “VIPERS”
⦁ LADIPOE – “PROVIDENCE”
⦁ PAYPER CORLEONE – “IN DON WE TRUST”
⦁ VECTOR – “CROWN OF CLAY”
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
A voting category for the best conceptualist, best directed and most exciting video in the year under review. This award goes to the video director.
“CHAMPION” – (FIREBOY DML FEAT. D SMOKE) DIRECTED BY TG OMORI
“GINGER” – (WIZKID FEAT. BURNA BOY) DIRECTED BY MEJI ALABI
“ROJU” – (CHIKE) DIRECTED BY PINK
“RAIN” – (YEMI ALADE FEAT. MZANSI YOUTH CHOIR) DIRECTED BY OVIE ETSEYATSE
“BLING” – (BLAQBONEZ FEAT. AMAARAE & BNXN) DIRECTED BY TG OMORI
“RUNNING” – (LADIPOE FEAT. FIREBOY DML) DIRECTED BY DIRECTOR K
BEST COLLABORATION
A voting category for the best r&b, pop or hip-hop collaborative track (including cameos).
⦁ “BEGGIE BEGGIE” – AYRA STARR FEAT. CKAY
⦁ “BLING” – BLAQBONEZ FEAT. AMAARAE & BNXN
⦁ “EARLY MOMO” – VECTOR FEAT. GOODGIRL LA
⦁ “ESSENCE” – WIZKID FEAT. TEMS
⦁ “FEELING” – LADIPOE FEAT. BNXN
“RUNNING (TO YOU)” – CHIKE FEAT. SIMI
BEST STREET-HOP ARTISTE
A voting category for the artiste whose songs are inspired by the streets. Such song should captain lingua, which may also be originated by the artiste and popular on the street.
⦁ BELLA SHMURDA – “CASH APP” FEAT. ZLATAN & LINCOlN
⦁ REXXIE & MOHBAD – “KPK”
⦁ MOHBAD – “FEEL GOOD”
⦁ NAIRA MARLEY – “KOLEYEWON”
⦁ NEKTUNEZ & GOYA MENOR – “AMENO AMAPIANO (REMIX)”
⦁ POCO LEE, PORTABLE & OLAMIDE – “ZAZOO ZEHH”
BEST AFROBEATS SINGLE OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the best Afrobeats single in year under review (by single individual or group).
“BLOODY SAMARITAN” – AYRA STARR
“BOUNCE” – RUGER
“HIGH” – ADEKUNLE GOLD FEAT. DAVIDO
“MONALISA” – LOJAY & SARZ
“OZUMBA MBADIWE” – REEKADO BANKS
“PERU” – FIREBOY DML
HEADIES’ VIEWER’S CHOICE
A voting category to award the fan’s favorite artiste with the most digital tractions (downloads, views, streams) in the year under review.
⦁ AYRA STARR – “BLOODY SAMARITAN”
⦁ FIREBOY – “PERU”
⦁ JOEBOY – “SIP”
⦁ LOJAY & SARZ – “MONALISA”
⦁ NEKTUNEZ & GOYA MENOR – “AMENO AMAPIANO (REMIX)”
⦁ OLAMIDE FEAT. OMAH LAY – “INFINITY”
⦁ REMA – “SOUNDGASM”
⦁ WIZKID FEAT. TEMS – “ESSENCE”
BEST WEST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
A voting award category for an individual African artiste or group (of Western African Descent) with the most outstanding achievement and impact across Africa in the year under review.
⦁ AMAARAE (GHANA)
⦁ ANGELIQUE KIDJO (BENIN)
⦁ AYA NAKAMURA (MALI)
⦁ GYAKIE (GHANA)
⦁ KIDI (GHANA)
⦁ NELSON FREITAS (CAPE VERDE)
BEST EAST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
A voting award category for an individual African artiste or group (of Eastern African Descent) with the most outstanding achievement and impact across Africa in the year under review.
⦁ DIAMOND PLATINUMZ (TANZANIA)
⦁ EDDY KENZO (UGANDA)
⦁ HARMONIZE (TANZANIA)
⦁ MEDDY (RWANDA)
⦁ NIKITA KERING (KENYA)
⦁ ZUCHU (TANZANIA)
BEST NORTH AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
A voting award category for an individual African artiste or group (of Northern African Descent) with the most outstanding achievement and impact across Africa in the year under review.
⦁ EMEL MATHLOUTHI (TUNISIA)
⦁ ELGRANDETOTO (MOROCCO)
⦁ LATIFA (TUNISIA)
⦁ MANAL (MOROCCO)
⦁ MUHAMAD RAMADAN (EGYPT)
⦁ SOOLKING (ALGERIA)
BEST SOUTHERN AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
A voting award category for an individual African artiste or group (of Southern African Descent) with the most outstanding achievement and impact across Africa in the year under review.
⦁ BLACK COFFEE (SOUTH AFRICA)
⦁ DJ TARICO (MOZAMBIQUE)
⦁ ELAINE (SOUTH AFRICA)
⦁ FOCALISTIC (SOUTH AFRICA)
⦁ JAH PRAYZAH (ZIMBABWE)
⦁ SHA SHA (ZIMBABWE)
BEST CENTRAL AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
A voting award category for an individual African artiste or group (of Central African Descent) with the most outstanding achievement and impact across Africa in the year under review.
- CALEMA (SAO TOME & PRINCIPE)
- BLANCHE BAILLY (CAMEROON)
- DADJU (DR CONGO)
- FALLY IPUPA (DR CONGO)
- INNOSS’B (DR CONGO)
- SORAIA RAMOS (CAPE VERDE)
BEST AFROBEATS ALBUM
A category for the best Afrobeats album in the year under review (by a single individual or group).
“19 AND DANGEROUS” – AYRA STARR
“A BETTER TIME” – DAVIDO
“BARNABAS” – KIZZ DANIEL
“MADE IN LAGOS (DELUXE EDITION)” – WIZKID
“KPOS LIFESTYLE” – AJEBO HUSTLERS
“WONDALAND” – TENI
BEST REGGAE & DANCEHALL ALBUM
A voting category for the best Reggae & Dancehall album (solo or group) in year under review.
⦁ “GRATITUDE” – TIMAYA
⦁ “LOVE IS WAR” – PRETTYBOY D-O
⦁ “RAINBOW RIDDIM” – SHANK
⦁ “THREE” – PATORANKING
⦁ “YAADMAN KINGSIZE” – YUNG L
BEST R&B ALBUM
A category for the best r&b album in the year under review (by single individual or group).
“BEFORE WE FALL ASLEEP” – JOHNNY DRILLE
“IF ORANGE WAS A PLACE” – TEMS
“LOVE DEEP HIGH LIFE” – OMAWUMI
“RISING” – FALANA
“THE PRINCE I BECAME” – RIC HASSANI
“WATER AND GARRI” – TIWA SAVAGE
BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
A category for the best Alternative album in the year under review (by single individual or group).
“9: ESAN” – BRYMO
“INTERMISSION” – IBEJII
“LEGACY +” – FEMI KUTI & MADE KUTI
“LOVE AND HIGHLIFE” – THE CAVEMEN
“P.S. THANK YOU FOR WAITING” – WAVY THE CREATOR
“YABASI” – BASKETMOUTH
BEST RAP ALBUM
A non-voting category for the best album by a rap artiste or group in year under review.
“CARPE DIEM” – OLAMIDE
“CLONE WARS VOL. 5 – THE ALGORHYTHM” – SHOW DEM CAMP
“GOLDEN” – A-Q
“MAFIA CULTURE, VOL. 2.0” – IDOWEST
“PROVIDENCE” – LADIPOE
“SEX OVER LOVE” – BLAQBONEZ
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the best album (solo or group) in year under review, that meets judges’ requirements of excellence (songwriting, production, rendition and impact).
⦁ “9: ESAN” – BRYMO
⦁ “19 & DANGEROUS” – AYRA STARR
⦁ “CARPE DIEM” – OLAMIDE
⦁ “LEGACY +” – FEMI KUTI & MADE KUTI
⦁ “MADE IN LAGOS (DELUXE EDITION)” – WIZKID
⦁ “YABASI” – BASKETMOUTH
SONG OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the most popular song in the year under review.
⦁ “CELEBRATE ME” – PATORANKING
⦁ “DOINGS” – FLAVOUR FEAT. PHYNO
⦁ “ESSENCE” – WIZKID FEAT. TEMS
⦁ “HIGH” – ADEKUNLE GOLD FEAT. DAVIDO
⦁ “MONALISA” – LOJAY & SARZ
⦁ “PERU” – FIREBOY DML
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE
Overall most successful female artiste (with artistic quality and/or impact) in the year under review.
⦁ SIMI
⦁ TEMS
⦁ TIWA SAVAGE
⦁ TENI
⦁ NINIOLA
BEST MALE ARTISTE
Overall most successful male artiste (with artistic quality and/or impact) in the year under review.
⦁ ADEKUNLE GOLD
⦁ BURNA BOY
⦁ DAVIDO
⦁ FLAVOUR
⦁ OLAMIDE
⦁ WIZKID
NEXT RATED
This category is a voting category for the most promising act (with an EP or Album) in the year under review.
⦁ AYRA STARR
⦁ BNXN
⦁ LOJAY
⦁ RUGER
⦁ ZINOLEESKY
AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
A voting award category for an individual African artiste or group with the most outstanding achievement, impact and infiltration into the International music scene withiin the year under review.
⦁ BLACK COFFEE (NIGERIA)
⦁ BURNA BOY (NIGERIA)
⦁ DAVIDO (NIGERIA)
⦁ DIAMOND PLATINUMZ (TANZANIA)
⦁ SOOLKING (ALGERIA)
⦁ WIZKID (NIGERIA)
⦁ AYA NAKAMURA (MALI/FRANCE)
INTERNATIONAL ARTISTE RECOGNITION
A special recognition to an individual(s) for excellence and outstanding impact to the Nigerian entertainment industry within a specific period and/or the year under review.
WYCLEF JEAN
AKON
P DIDDY
SPECIAL RECOGNITION:
A special recognition to an individual(s) for excellence and outstanding impact to the entertainment industry within the year under review.
BOSE OGULU
SUNDAY ARE
EFE OMOROGBE
HALL OF FAME:
A special recognition to an individual of African Descent, for excellence and outstanding impact to the African entertainment industry, home and abroad.
ANGELINA KIDJOE
HUMANITARIAN AWARD OF THE YEAR
A voting category to recognize and Award extraordinary individuals and/or groups who have positively impacted the lives of people, nature and society within the year in review.
⦁ 2FACE IDIBIA
⦁ RUGGEDMAN
⦁ DAVIDO
⦁ DON JAZZY
Anonymous
September 4, 2022 at 23:46
Swears, Love nwantiti best song I’ve heard this year
Sunshine
September 3, 2022 at 11:42
All this nomination na fake jare, they don bribe them with money they come dey do anyhow. Come to think of it where is my boss TEKNO
K.R
July 3, 2022 at 16:36
this list na shit.Rema’s Soundgasm should be part of song of the year.And Rema should also be part of best street hop artistes
K.R
July 3, 2022 at 16:35
this list na shit.Rema’s Soundgasm should be part of song of the year.And Rema should also be part of street hop artistes
K.R
July 3, 2022 at 16:35
this list na shit.Rema’s Soundgasm should be part of street anthem.And he should also be part of street hop artistes
ESSEMMGEE
July 3, 2022 at 16:20
how can Rema have just one nomination after the hits Bounce,Dimension and Soundgasm made last year. And i cant find joeboy,kizz daniel,blaqbones names anywhere abi headies dey craze ni
Unik
June 12, 2022 at 11:19
I saw big cheat on the side of Ckay
Love Nwantiti isn’t there and that is a big cheat.
Unik
June 12, 2022 at 11:17
I support you on this
Unik
June 12, 2022 at 11:15
This people are seriously crazy
Anonymous
June 12, 2022 at 11:14
Then why is portable there
Amanzzy
May 30, 2022 at 17:29
Where is rema name?
Greatboy G
May 29, 2022 at 08:05
Oh no
Yunglord
May 26, 2022 at 21:45
Davido is not there kiss daniel is not there and you recognize a senseless song like portable hmmmm still davido and kiss Daniel all the way love you guys and you are the very best of best for me this year rubbish you no even see rema you dey call portable
Yunglord
May 26, 2022 at 21:44
Davido is not there kizzy daniel is not there and you recognize a senseless song like portable hmmmm still davido and kiss Daniel all the way love you guys and you are the very best of best for me this year rubbish you no even see rema you dey call portable
Yunglord
May 26, 2022 at 21:41
I tire o
Anonymous
May 26, 2022 at 21:26
Kiss album is nominated BARNABAS
Anonymous
May 26, 2022 at 21:24
portable drop zazoo at December 2021
Anonymous
May 26, 2022 at 09:51
What the fuck is this sha all this one they whine Davido and kizz Daniel
Anonymous
May 26, 2022 at 09:49
If this award was actually for 2020 and 2021 then what is portable name doing there and why is kizz Daniel not there
Anonymous
May 26, 2022 at 09:47
then what is portable doing there Davido album is number one and it not even there rubbish
Anonymous
May 26, 2022 at 08:54
Where is kizz Daniel and potable’s nomination is too small
Humble
May 26, 2022 at 07:05
Wizkid na your mate
Anonymous
May 26, 2022 at 00:00
Abeg ask them ooo. Angelina kidjo came out for best artist in West Africa but didn’t show in the best African artist category.
Hope
May 25, 2022 at 09:22
You no fit just talk weytin you wan talk without abusive words, beside how presence do they have
Naki
May 25, 2022 at 08:29
Dis people no understand, the year is from 2020 to 2021
Pecks
May 25, 2022 at 07:28
It’s really not fair the way Kizz Daniel is been underrated. That niggar has been dishing out hits back to back, yet not recognized 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Anonymous
May 25, 2022 at 06:31
Una dey mad ahswr,where is Kizz,ckay,Victony or even mayorkun
Hema
May 25, 2022 at 06:30
Where is Mr. Incredible (mi)….. You guys have fuck up big time…. Mi is a legend….with or without your nomination MI is the the king of rap… All other rappers know this (secondly) no kiss Daniel that really bad….. Mi n kiss Daniel should be in that list not all this joke rappers without bars.. (aq n black bone ok) but put mi n kizz Daniel
Young_buran
May 25, 2022 at 02:08
Una no show love oo
Mohamed Dura Kamara
May 25, 2022 at 01:33
That the fact
Big Ralph
May 24, 2022 at 23:06
This list need to be reviewed…. Where is Kiss Daniel and Joe boy??
Monnykay de Oracle
May 24, 2022 at 22:34
You guys underrated Kiss Daniel
Very bad of you all
That guy is fucking good to be sincere
Davido
May 24, 2022 at 19:53
Na why all d big artiste no dey come for una show be dat, kiss Daniel is d best
Davido
May 24, 2022 at 19:52
Kiss Daniel no follow any nomination, thunder fire all of una
Davido
May 24, 2022 at 19:51
Kiss’s d best, thunder fire all of una
Anonymous
May 24, 2022 at 19:50
Their are all mad, sincerely
Anonymous
May 24, 2022 at 19:49
So kiss Daniel no follow for all this award, thunder fire all of una
Rozkid Muller
May 24, 2022 at 19:07
Olamide❤️
Obo Fredo
May 24, 2022 at 18:50
Humanitarian award Davido supposed to be nominated as number one 001🇳🇬
Ayo m1 kun
May 24, 2022 at 18:37
it goes to don jazy
Ode
May 24, 2022 at 18:29
This award is for year in view 2020-2021
Anonymous
May 24, 2022 at 17:52
I swear 30BG 100
Kaycee
May 24, 2022 at 17:33
So Rema’s album Rave and Roses no enter afrobeats album??? This is trash ajeh… Just 1 nomination!?
Lione
May 24, 2022 at 17:10
Where’s kizz Daniel ?
Gbadebo Emmanuel
May 24, 2022 at 16:52
Who de drag humanitarian award with 30BG?
The man with a soft ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Son of Grace baba Imade…
Olayiwola kehinde Adewale
May 24, 2022 at 16:28
Humanitarian of the year olamide baddo should be in that list and he also deserve it
WXNX
May 24, 2022 at 16:20
Where is Ckay?🤨🤨
akinpelu daniel
May 24, 2022 at 14:36
i dont know for them o is just one category he was nominated for best album of the year
Koredejoiks
May 24, 2022 at 14:15
What about kizz daniel are your papa mad or something?