2022 Headies Awards Honours 6 Outstanding Artistes Rewriting Afrobeat and Mainstream Music Forever
A total of 6 powerful American musical icons – Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber and Nas have been named as nominees for the 15th Annual Headies Awards for the International Artiste of the Year category.
For the first time in its celebrated and prestigious history, the 15th edition of the Annual Headies Awards Show is coming to the United States on September 4th, 2022.
This latest amendment is birthed from critical discussions with key music and creative industry stakeholders to include certain sectors of the Entertainment industry in order to ensure an holistic and well-rounded celebration of deserving music industry talents.
The world’s most prestigious Nigerian/Pan African awards show is transporting Africa to the United States of America through the celebration of Afrobeat, African Music and Culture with the sounds of South, East, and West Africa.
This year, three new categories have been added and they include the “International Artist of the Year,” “Best Inspirational Single” and “Digital Artist of the Year.”
These categories recognise and celebrate the contributions and collaborations within the diaspora in the United States of America as personified by the likes of Beyonce, Drake, Nas, and Chris Brown as well as A-List American mainstream acts like Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran.
This year, for The International Artist of the Year category, the voting award category for non-African artist(s) or group(s) with the most outstanding achievements and impact on Afrobeat are Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber and Nas.
“What inspired me to create The Headies Awards was the need to fill an important gap and be the voice of a generation in the culture that we represented. There wasn’t an award show that understood the urban contemporary, pop culture that Afrobeat was bringing mainstream. We had reasons to interface with young talented artists and they were not being represented and these guys were like the future – we had to step in there and create what was missing. There is something uniquely different about the way we put together The Headies from conceptualization to execution, from end to end – even from the way we screen. From how we structure our voting – the voting categories and non-voting categories. We pretty much created a robust system to ensure that their work stands as iconic as can be.,” affirmed the Headies Founder & Executive Producer, Ayo Animashaun.
He added that there was a need to export the Nigerian culture and said:
“It was the need to export our culture… we’re the ones that need to just do more in terms of showing the world who we are. And every opportunity should be absolutely welcome. When the world superstars do concerts, and they do their world tour – how many world tours do you see or have you seen and you see Nigerian culture that goes up. Not saying Nigeria is the parent country- but you know what? We are the ones that need to showcase what we have on a global scale. We want the world to see, and they won’t see in our backyard. They will see other awards performed in Nigeria – we have decided to expand our scope.”
The event has been scheduled for September 4 at the Cobb Energy Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.
Three New Categories For 2022 Headies Awards
Below are the three new categories for the 15th edition of the Annual Headies Awards.
International Artiste of the Year
A voting award category for a non-African artiste or group with the most outstanding achievement and impact on Afrobeat.
- Beyonce
- Chris Brown
- Drake
- Ed Sheeran
- Justin Bieber
- Nas
Best Inspirational Single
A voting award category for the best inspirational single in year under review (by an individual or group).
- Cultural Praise Vol 1 – Kcee & Okwesili Eze Group
- Everything (Amen) – Timi Dakolo
- Jehovah Overdo – Chidinma
- Onyedikagi – Mercy Chinwo featuring Glowrie
- Yah – Dunsin Oyekan
- You Are Mighty/Olorun Agbaye – Nathaniel Bassey featuring Oba & Chandler Moore
Digital Artiste of the Year
A voting award category for an individual Nigerian artiste or group with the most outstanding achievement and impact digitally in the year under review.
- Burna Boy
- CKay
- Davido
- Joeboy
- Rema
- Wizkid
The Complete List of Nominees
Below are the categories for the 15th edition of the Annual Headies Awards.
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 Afrobeat 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 Viewers Choice
A voting category to award the fan’s favourite 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 Afrobeat 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 within the year under review.
- Black Coffee (South Africa)
- 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.
Angelique Kidjo
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
About The Headies Awards
The Headies Awards, originally called the Hip Hop World Awards, is a music awards show established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World Magazine of Nigeria to recognize the outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry. The annual ceremony features performances by established and promising artists.
