The Headies
The Headies (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 outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.
The annual ceremony features performances by established and promising artists. It is broadcast live on HipTV to viewers across Nigeria. The first and second editions of The Headies were held at the Muson Center in Onikan, Lagos State. Between 2010 and 2012, the awards were held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos. Several media personalities in Nigeria have hosted the annual ceremony, including Darey Art Alade, D’banj, Dakore Egbuson, Banky W., Rita Dominic, M.I, Tiwa Savage, Dr SID etc (See comprehensive list below).
History and Plaque
The image of The Headies was created by Ayo Animashaun, the founder of the awards, and drawn by Matthias Aragbada. The first Headie plaque was done by Jide Adewoye. It represents the “image and the shout of a young, vibrant individual whose talent can challenge that of renowned local and international artistes combined, but who has almost lost confidence in his abilities in the face of discouraging circumstances presented by the peculiar Nigerian environment.” In 2008, the plaque was redone in the United Kingdom. It was plated with 21 carat gold. The new plaque is a mixture of resin, copper, steel, marble and gold.
As of 2018, The Headies is composed of 25 categories. Open voting decides majority of the awards’ categories. However, the Best Recording of the Year, Best Rap Album, Best Vocal Performance (Male), Best Vocal Performance (Female), Lyricist on the Roll, and Best Performer categories are not open to public voting.
| The Headies Dates and Locations | ||||||
| # | Year | Date | City | Venue | Host(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006 | 10 March | Onikan, Lagos | MUSON Centre | Dare Art Alade | [61] |
| 2 | 2007 | 17 March | Tana Adelana and D’banj | [62] | ||
| 3 | 2008 | 15 March | Maryland, Lagos | Planet One | Basketmouth and Dakore Egbuson | [63] |
| 4 | 2009 | 16 May | Abuja, Nigeria | Abuja International Conference Centre | Banky W. and Kemi Adetiba | [64] |
| 5 | 2010 | 29 May | Victoria Island, Lagos | Eko Hotel and Suites | — | [65] |
| 6 | 2011 | 22 October | Rita Dominic and eLDee | [66] | ||
| 7 | 2012 | 20 October | M.I and Omawumi | [67] | ||
| 8 | 2013 | 26 December | Oriental Hotel | Tiwa Savage and Dr SID | [68] | |
| 9 | 2014 | 14 December | Eko Hotel and Suites | Toke Makinwa and Basketmouth | [69] | |
| 10 | 2015 | 1 January 2016 | Landmark Events Centre | Bovi and Kaffy | [70] | |
| 11 | 2016 | 22 December | Eko Convention Center | Falz and Adesua Etomi | [71] | |
| 2017 | No ceremony held | |||||
| 12 | 2018 | 6 May | Victoria Island, Lagos | Eko Convention Center | Bovi and Seyi Shay | [72] |
| 13 | 2019 | 19 October | Nancy Isime and Reminisce | [60] | ||
| 14 | 2020 | 21 February 2021 | Ibeju Lekki, Lagos | La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort | Bovi and Nancy Isime | [73][74] |
| 2021 | No ceremony held | |||||
| 15 | 2022 | 4 September 2022 | Atlanta, United States | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre | Anthony Anderson and Osas Ighodaro | [75] |
