The Headies is an annual award ceremony that has been a significant event in the Nigerian music industry since its inception in 2006. It is the most prestigious music award ceremony in Nigeria, and it recognizes and rewards exceptional achievements in the Nigerian music industry. The award ceremony has grown to become a platform where Nigerian musicians showcase their talents and compete for recognition.
The 15th edition of The Headies was held outside Nigeria for the first time in its history, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The event, which was themed “Join the Movement,” was hosted by Nigerian actress Osas Ighodaro and American actor Anthony Anderson. The two hosts brought their unique styles and humor to the ceremony, making it an exciting and entertaining experience for attendees and viewers.
The Headies has become an important part of the Nigerian music industry and has played a significant role in shaping the industry over the years. It has helped to discover and promote many talented musicians who have gone on to achieve international recognition. The award ceremony has also helped to boost the music industry’s economy and has encouraged many young Nigerians to pursue careers in music.
Overall, The Headies has become a cultural phenomenon in Nigeria and a significant part of the country’s entertainment landscape. The 15th edition, which was held in the United States, marks a new chapter in the award ceremony’s history and its growing influence in the global music industry.
Here is the full list of 2022 Headies Award winners in their respective categories.
Rookie of the Year
AV
Fave (winner)
Magixx
Ugoccie
Best Recording of the Year
“Celebrate Me” – Patoranking (winner)
“Essence” – Wizkid ft. Tems and
“Joy” – Falana
“Loving is Harder” – Johnny Drille
“Meji Meji” – Brymo
“Somebody’s Son’ – Tiwa Savage ft. Brandy
Producer of the Year
Beats By Jayy – “Golden” (A-Q)
Blaise Beatz – “Sinner” (Adekunle Gold Ft. Lucky Daye)
Niphkeys – “Feel Good” (Mohbad)
P Priime – “Ozumba Mbadiwe” (Reekado Banks)
Pheelz – “High” (Adekunle Gold ft. Davido)
Sarz – “Monalisa” (Lojay & Sarz) (winner)
Songwriter of the Year
Adekunle Gold – “Sinner” (winner)
Ajebo Hustlers – “Loyalty”
Brymo – “Meji Meji”
Falana – “Joy”
Fireboy DML – “Peru”
Omah Lay – “Understand”
Best R&B Single
“Baby Riddim” – Fave
“Beggie Beggie” – Ayra Starr ft. CKay
“Essence” – Wizkid ft. Tems (winner)
“Running (To You)” – Chike ft. Simi
“Promise” – Niniola
“Sinner” – Adekunle Gold ft. Luck Daye
Best Rap Single
“Breathe” – A-Q ft Chike
“Crown of Clay” – Vector & MI Abaga ft. Pheelz
“Early Momo” – Vector ft. Goodgirl LA
“Feeling” – Ladipoe ft. Bnxn (winner)
“Tycoon” – Show Dem Camp ft. Reminisce & Mojo
“Loading” – Olamide ft. Bad Boy Timz
Best Alternative Song
“Doings” – Flavour (winner)
“Free Your Mind” – Made Kuti
“Girlfriend” – Ruger
“Hustle” – Basketmouth, The Cavemen., Bez, Dice Ailes
“Meji Meji’ – Brymo
“Selense” – The Cavemen.
Nothing Sup’’ — Scato
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
Ayra Starr – “Toxic”
Liya – “Alari”
Niniola – “6th Heaven”
Simi – “Running (To You)”
Tems – “Essence”
Waje – “Last Time” (winner)
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
Brymo – “Meji Meji”
Johnny Drille – “Loving is Harder”
Oxlade – “Ojuju” (winner)
Ric Hassani – “When I’m Gone”
Tay Iwar – “Peaking”
Lyricist on the Roll
A-Q – “The Last Cypher” (winner)
Blaqbonez – “The Last Cypher”
Jesse Jagz – “Vipers”
Ladipoe – “Providence”
Payper Corleone – “In Don We Trust”
Vector – “Crown of Clay”
Best Music Video
“Champion” – (Fireboy DML ft. D Smoke) – Directed by TG Omori (winner)
“Ginger” – (Wizkid ft. Burna Boy) – Directed by Meji Alabi
“Roju” – (Chike) – Directed by Pink
“Rain” – (Yemi Alade ft. Mzansi Youth Choir) – Directed by Ovie Etseyatse
“Bling” – (Blaqbonez ft. Amaarae & Bnxn) – Directed by Tg Omori
“Running” – (Ladipoe ft. Fireboy DML) – Directed by Director K
Best Collaboration
“Beggie Beggie” – Ayra Starr ft. CKay
“Bling” – Blaqbonez ft. Amaarae & Bnxn
“Early Momo” – Vector ft. Goodgirl La
“Essence” – Wizkid ft. Tems (winner)
“Feeling” – Ladipoe ft. Bnxn
“Running (To You)” – Chike ft. Simi
Best Street-Hop Artist
Bella Shmurda – “Cash App” ft. Zlatan & Lincoln
Rexxie & Mohbad – “KPK”
Mohbad – “Feel Good”
Naira Marley – “Koleyewon”
Nektunez & Goya Menor – “Ameno Amapiano” (winner)
Best Afrobeats Single of the Year
“Bloody Samaritan” – Ayra Starr
“Bounce” – Ruger
“High” – Adekunle Gold ft. Davido
“Monalisa” – Lojay & Sarz
“Ozumba Mbadiwe” – Reekado Banks
“Peru” – Fireboy DML (winner)
Headies’ Viewer’s Choice
Ayra Starr – “Bloody Samaritan” (winner)
Fireboy DML – “Peru”
Joeboy – “Sip”
Lojay & Sarz – “Monalisa”
Nektunez & Goya Menor – “Ameno Amapiano”
Olamide ft. Omah Lay – “Infinity”
Rema – “Soundgasm”
Wizkid ft. Tems – “Essence”
Best West African Artist of the Year
Amaarae (Ghana)
Angélique Kidjo (Benin)
Aya Nakamura (Mali)
Gyakie (Ghana) (winner)
KiDi (Ghana)
Nelson Freitas (Cape Verde)
Best East African Artist of the Year
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) (winner)
Eddy Kenzo (Uganda)
Harmonize (Tanzania)
Meddy (Rwanda)
Nikita Kering (Kenya)
Zuchu (Tanzania) Sauti Sol (Kenya)
Best North African Artist of the Year
Emel Mathlouthi (Tunisia)
El Grande Toto (Morocco)
Latifa (Tunisia) (winner)
Manal (Morocco)
Muhamad Ramadan (Egypt)
Soolking (Algeria)
Best Southern African Artist of the Year
Black Coffee (South Africa)
DJ Tarico (Mozambique)
Elaine (South Africa)
Focalistic (South Africa) (winner)
Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)
Sha Sha (Zimbabwe)
Nasty C (South Africa)
Best Central African Artist of the Year
Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
Blanche Bailly (Cameroon)
Dadju (DR Congo)
Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
Innoss’b (DR Congo) (winner)
Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
Best Afrobeats Album
19 & Dangerous – Ayra Starr
A Better Time – Davido
Barnabas – Kizz Daniel
Made in Lagos (Deluxe Edition) – Wizkid (winner)
Kpos Lifestyle – Ajebo Hustlers
Wondaland – Teni
Best Reggae & Dancehall Album
Gratitude – Timaya
Love is War – Prettyboy D-O
Rainbow Riddim – Shank
Three – Patoranking (winner)
Yaadman Kingsize – Yung L
Best R&B Album
Before We Fall Asleep – Johnny Drille
If Orange Was a Place – Tems (winner)
Love Deep High Life – Omawumi
Rising – Falana
The Prince I Became – Ric Hassani
Water And Garri – Tiwa Savage
Best Alternative Album
9: Esan – Brymo
Intermission – Ibejii (winner)
Legacy + – Femi Kuti & Made Kuti
Love and Highlife – The Cavemen.
P.S. Thank You For Waiting – Wavy The Creator
Yabasi – Basketmouth
Best Rap Album
Carpe Diem – Olamide (winner)
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
9: Esan – Brymo
19 & Dangerous – Ayra Starr
Carpe Diem – Olamide
Legacy + – Femi Kuti & Made Kuti
Made in Lagos (Deluxe Edition) – Wizkid (winner)
Yabasi – Basketmouth
Song of the Year
“Celebrate Me” – Patoranking (winner)
“Doings” – Flavour ft. Phyno
“Essence” – Wizkid ft. Tems
“High” – Adekunle Gold ft. Davido
“Monalisa” – Lojay & Sarz
“Peru” – Fireboy DML
Best Female Artist
Simi
Tems (winner)
Tiwa Savage
Teni
Niniola
Best Male Artist
Adekunle Gold
Burna Boy (winner)
Davido
Flavour
Olamide
Wizkid
Lord Bliss
Next Rated
Ayra Starr
Bnxn (winner)
Lojay
Ruger
Zinoleesky
African Artist of the Year
Black Coffee (South Africa)
Burna Boy (Nigeria) (winner)
Davido (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Soolking (Algeria)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Aya Nakamura (Mali/France)
International Artist Recognition
Wyclef Jean
Akon
P Diddy
Special Recognition (talent)
D’Banj
Special Recognition
Bose Ogulu
Sunday Are
Efe Omorogbe
Hall of Fame
Angélique Kidjo
Humanitarian Award of the Year
2Baba
Ruggedman
Lord Bliss
Davido (winner)
Don Jazzy
P Square
