Fireboy DML emerges as a winner at Headies Awards.

The 14th Headies took place a few hours ago, live-streamed by Hip TV on Youtube; it was filled with artists being recognised for their work in the last year and broken up by performances by Stonebwoy, Chika, Alpha P, Bad boy Timz, Zinoleesky, Jamo Pyper, Laycon with DJ Neptune and Joeboy ft Laycon, The cavemen band, Master KG and many more.

The event hosted by Nancy Isime and the hilarious Bovi was attended by several artists and executives in the Nigerian music and movie industry, including Wizkid, 2face, Eniola Badmus and Desmond Elliot (side-eye).

Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido and WurlD both had 6 nominations each, although Burna boy and Davido were noticeably absent.

Fireboy emerged as the night’s star with a record-breaking 5 awards for Best R&B single, Best R&B Album, Best Pop Album, Hip Hop World Revelation and the Album of the year. Wizkid won the album of the year as well as viewers choice awards.

A new category, ‘songwriter of the year’, was introduced and won by Simi, Omah walked away with the Next Rated Awards, along with a brand new car, and we were treated to a joint performance by the other nominees in the next rated category Oxlade and Bella Shmurda.

Idris Abdul Kareem and Timaya were honoured for their work in the industry, whilst Chief Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Whilst I commend the organisers for the effort and consistency, a lot of improvement needs to be done on the production; I was disappointed at the several production and technical difficulties. From sound/ video lagging to several gaps in between segments to hearing other people’s mic’s whilst they were off stage; eventually, the entire show cut out, and we weren’t able to watch till the end.

I did, however, enjoy the performances (especially the dance rendition of Fela’s Zombie at the beginning); although it felt a bit rushed at times, I’m glad that this platform, a part of the Nigerian legacy, exists to recognise talents in the industry.

Special shout out to our very own Moelogo for winning the Best Alté Song Award and proving that you don’t necessarily have to live in Nigeria to break through the market and be recognised.

The list of winners so far is posted below and will be updated.

Best R&B single – Fireboy with Tattoo

Best Recording of the year – Brymo for Ozymadias

Best Music video – Director K for Davido’s One Milli

Producer of the year – Pheelz on the beat – Billionaire by Teni

Best vocal performance (Female) a non-voting category – Niniola – Addicted

Best Vocal Performance (Male) – Praiz – Under the sky

Best street artist – Mayorkun with Geng

Rookie of the year – voting category – Bad boy Timz

Best pop single – DJ Neptune, Joeboy and Mr Eazi

Best collabo – LadiPoe and Simi for Know you

Best Alté song – I wonder by Moelogo

Best rap single – Falz for Bop Daddy

Best R&B Album – Fireboy for Laughters, Tears & Gooseboy

Best alternative album – The Caveman for Roots

Next rated awards – Omah Lay

Viewers choice awards – Wizkid

Songwriter of the year – Simi for Duduke

Best Pop Album – Fireboy DML for Apollo

Lyricist of the roll – illbliss for country

Africa Artist Recognition – MasterKG

Hip hop world revelation of the year – Fireboy

Best rap album – AQ with God’s Engineering

Artist of the year – Wizkid

Lastly, stay up to date with all you need to know about African music at SOA, right here.

Fireboy DML emerges as a winner at Headies Awards.