The 16th Headies Awards, held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, USA, on Sunday, September 4, 2023, under the theme “Celebrating African Renaissance,” was a night to remember. Hosted by Nollywood actress Osas Ighodaro and American media personality Terrence J, the event featured electrifying performances from top artists like Odumodublvck, Young Jonn, Wande Coal, Kcee, Black Sherif, Asake, and many others.
Rema emerged as one of the biggest winners of the night, clinching three awards, including the prestigious Best Male Artiste of the Year, Digital Artiste of the Year, and African Artiste Of The Year. Asake’s star also shone brightly as he walked away with a brand new car after winning the highly coveted Next Rated category. Rookie sensation Odumodublvck secured a house in Lagos as he was named the Rookie of the Year.
However, there was a twist in the Best Video of the Year category. Despite the social media buzz, neither Blaqbonez nor TG Omori took home the award. Director K claimed the honor. Nevertheless, Blaqbonez, while receiving the Best Rap Album of the Year award for ‘The Young Preacher,’ made it clear that he and TG Omori were still the best directors in the game.
The 2023 Headies Awards was not without its surprises, as several categories, including Best Recording of The Year, Songwriter of The Year, Best RnB Single, Best Vocal Performance (Female), Headies Viewers’ Choice, Best East African Artiste of the Year, and Best North African Artiste of The Year, were not presented during the event. Similarly, Best Southern African Artiste of The Year, Best Central African Artiste of The Year, International Artiste Of The Year, Best Alternative Album, and Best RnB Album also remained undisclosed.
Despite the suspense surrounding these categories, the 2023 Headies Awards showcased the incredible talent and innovation within the African music industry, reaffirming its position as one of the continent’s most prestigious music events. Below is the Full List of Winners And Nominees:
Full List of Winners And Nominees:
Best Rap Single
Reminisce – Hustle
Ladipoe – Big Energy
Blaqbonez – Back in Uni
Psycho YP – Bando Diaries
OdumoduBlvck – Declan Rice (Winner)
Jeriq, Phyno – My Bro
Best Alternative Song
Wizard Chan – Earth song
Cruel Santino – Final champion
Basketmouth, The Cavemen – The Traveller
Boj, Moliy, Mellissa – In a loop
Flavour – Game Changer
Obongjayar – Tinko Tinko (Winner)
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
Oxlade – Ku Lo Sa
Ric Hassani – My only baby
Magixx – Love Don’t Cost A Dime
Chike – Spell Remix
Praiz – Reckless
Wande Coal – Kpe Paso (Winner)
Best Video
Blaqbonez, Perliks – Back in Uni
TG Omori – PBUY
Director Pink – Spell Remix
Director K – Common Person
TG Omori – Bandana
Director K – Calm Down (Winner)
Best Rap Album
Payper Corleone – Fly Talk Only
Show Dem Camp – Palmwine Vol. 3
Blaqbonez – Young Preacher (Winner)
Psycho YP – YPSZN3
Vector – TESLIM
Jeriq – Billion Dollar Dream
Lyricist On The Roll
Ladipoe – Clowns
Vector – Clowns
Payper Corleone – Fly Talk Only (Winner)
Alpha Ojini – Vigilante Bop
A-Q – Family First
Tec (SDC) – Live Life
Producer of The Year
Magicsticks – Sungba Remix
Pheelz – Electricity
Andre Vibez, London – Calm Down
Tempoe – Soweto
Kel P – Kpe Paso
Rexxie – Abracadabra Remix (Winner)
Best Male Artiste
Asake
Rema (Winner)
Burna Boy
Ruger
Kizz Daniel
Omah Lay
Rookie of the Year
Odumodu Blvck (Winner)
Bloody Civilian
Bayyani
Guchi
Eltee Skillz
Khaid
Best Inspirational Single
Stand Strong – Davido Ft Sunday Service Choir
Jireh (My Provider) – Limoblaze, Lecrae & Happi
This Year – Victor Thompson & Ehis ‘d’ Greatest
Eze Ebube – Neon Adejo (Winner)
Tobechukwu – Nathaniel Bassey And Mercy Chinwo
I Get Backing – Victoria Orenze
Special Recognition Award
Sound Sultan (posthumous)
Afrobeats Single of The Year
Burna Boy – Last Last (Winner)
Ayra Starr – Rush
Kizz Daniel, Tekno – Buga
Pheelz, BNXN – Finesse
Spyro – Who’s Your Guy
Ruger – Asiwaju
Digital Artiste Of The Year
Burna Boy
Ayra Starr
Rema (Winner)
Omah Lay
Kizz Daniel
Asake
Best Street-Hop Artiste
Rexxie, Naira Marley, Skiibii – Abracadabra
Seyi Vibez – Chance (Winner)
Asake – Joha
Poco Lee, HotKid – Otilo
Zlatan, Young Jonn – Astalavista
Mohbad – Peace
Next Rated
Spyro
Seyi Vibez
Young Jonn
Asake (Winner)
Victony
Album Of The Year
Burna Boy – Love, Damini
Asake – Mr. Money With The Vibe (Winner)
Rema – Rave & Roses
Omah Lay – Boy Alone
Victony – Outlaw
Davido – Timeless
Song of The Year
Rema – Calm Down
Burna Boy – Last Last (Winner)
Oxlade – Ku Lo Sa
Kizz Daniel, Tekno – Buga
Pheelz, BNXN – Finesse
Asake, Burna Boy – Sungba Remix
Best Collaboration
Asake, Burna Boy – Sungba Remix
BNXN, Kizz Daniel, Seyi Vibez – Gwagwalada
Pheelz, BNXN – Finesse
Spyro, Tiwa Savage – Who’s Your Guy Remix (Winner)
Pheelz, Davido – Electricity
Wande Coal, Olamide – Kpe Paso
African Artiste Of The Year
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Marwa Loud (Morocco)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
Best West African Artiste of The Year
Gyakie (Ghana)
Black Sherif (Ghana) – Winner
The Therapist (Liberia)
Camidoh (Ghana)
The 2023 Headies Awards undoubtedly celebrated African music and talent on an international stage, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what the next edition has in store.
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