The 18th Headies Nominees

Only music materials including singles, videos, EPs and Albums released and distributed on digital streaming platforms within the year in review (1st August 2024 and 30th April 2026) were considered for nomination.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

A category that recognizes the most outstanding new artiste who achieved a breakthrough during the year under review and has not released a commercially distributed full-length album before the eligibility period.

BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR

A category that recognizes the most outstanding recorded song released during the year under review, celebrating excellence in recording quality and musical execution.

SONG WRITER OF THE YEAR

This is a category that honours the songwriter responsible for the most exceptional writing on a song in the year under review.

BEST R&B SINGLE

Recognizes the best R&B single by a solo artiste or group released in the year under review.

BEST RAP SINGLE

A category that recognizes the best rap song released as a single, by a solo artiste or group in the year under review.

BEST ALTERNATIVE SONG

Category for the best song that creatively explores sounds outside the mainstream.

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)

Category that recognizes the female artiste with the most outstanding vocal performance on an eligible recording.

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (MALE)

Category that recognizes the male artiste with the most outstanding vocal performance on an eligible recording.

BEST R&B ALBUM

Recognizes the best R&B album or EP by an individual or group.

BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM

A category for the best Alternative album or EP by an artiste or group in the year under review.

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

An award that is presented to the producer responsible for the most exceptional production on a song, EP or album released during the year under review.

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Award presented to the video director of the most outstanding music video within the year under review.

BEST COLLABORATION

A vote category that recognizes the most outstanding collaborative recording featuring two or more artistes.

BEST STREET-HOP ARTISTE

A category that recognizes the artiste whose music best reflects street culture and resonates strongly with grassroots audiences.

AFROBEATS SINGLE OF THE YEAR

A category for the year’s most outstanding Afrobeats single by a single individual or group.

LYRICIST ON THE ROLL

A non-voting category for the rapper with the most lyrical depth on a song in the year under review.

BEST INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE

A voting category for the most outstanding inspirational or faith-based song.

HEADIES VIEWERS' CHOICE

A fan-voted award recognizing the year’s favourite artiste based on public support and digital engagement.

BEST WEST AFRICAN ARTISTE

Recognizes the most outstanding artiste or group from West Africa in the year under review (non-Nigerian).

BEST EAST AFRICAN ARTISTE

Recognizes the most outstanding artiste or group from East Africa in the year under review.

BEST NORTH AFRICAN ARTISTE

Recognizes the most outstanding artiste or group from North Africa in the year under review.

BEST CENTRAL AFRICAN ARTISTE

Recognizes the most outstanding artiste or group from Central Africa in the year under review.

BEST AFRICAN DIASPORA-CANADIAN ARTISTE

A voting award category for the best Canadian or Canada-affiliated artiste of African descent in the year under review.

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

A voting category for the non-African artiste or group that made the most significant contribution to the global growth of Afrobeats.

BEST RAP ALBUM

Recognizes the best rap album or EP by an artiste or group in the year under review.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG FOR VISUAL MEDIA

A non-voting category for a song written and composed originally for use in a motion picture or series.

NEXT RATED

An award that recognizes the most promising emerging artiste poised for mainstream superstardom. Material can be two singles, an EP or an album.

BEST PERFORMER (LIVE)

A non-voting category for the artiste with the most outstanding live performance in front of an audience by singing, or playing a musical instrument. The live performance must have been recorded and officially released in video format – streaming, TV and/or physical media.

DIGITAL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

A voting category for the artiste or group with the most outstanding achievement and digital impact in the year under review.

SONG OF THE YEAR

A category that recognizes the song that achieved the greatest cultural impact within the year under review.

AFROBEATS ALBUM OF THE YEAR

A voting category for the best Afrobeats album or EP (solo or group) in the year under review, that meets judges’ requirements of excellence (songwriting, production, rendition and impact).

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

A voting category for the best overall album or EP (solo or group) in the year under review, that meets judges’ requirements of excellence (songwriting, production, rendition and impact).