The 16th Headies Award occurred on Sunday, September 3, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia, marking the second consecutive year in this location.
Since its establishment in 2006, the Headies has played a significant role in documenting the achievements within the Nigerian music industry through its awards, which have now become the most prestigious honors in Nigerian music.
During the event, Rema, a prominent Mavin artist, emerged as the top recipient, taking home three awards. Notably, his speech on the revival of Nigerian music stole the spotlight of the evening.
Additionally, other notable winners included Asake, who secured two awards, including the highly sought-after Next Rated Award, and Burna Boy, who claimed the titles of Afrobeat Single of the Year and Best R&B Song.
‘Declan Rice’ by ODUMODUBLVCK
In a thrilling turn of events at the 2023 Headies, Odumodublvck’s track titled “Declan Rice” clinched the prestigious award for Best Rap Single. This competitive category featured strong contenders such as “Reminisce – Hustle,” “Ladipoe – Big Energy,” “Blaqbonez – Back in Uni,” “Psycho YP – Bando Diaries,” and “Jeriq, Phyno – My Bro.”
During his acceptance speech, Odumodublvck graciously acknowledged his label boss, Teezee, expressing his gratitude by stating, “He believed in me when nobody did…”
A heartfelt congratulations to Odumodublvck on this well-deserved achievement!
2. BEST MALE VOCAL PERFORMANCE
‘Kpe Paso’ by Wande Coal
Wande Coal’s spectacular vocal performance in ‘Kpe Paso’ earned him the Best Male Vocal Performance award.
3. BEST ALTERNATIVE SONG
‘Earth Song’ by Wizard Chan
4. BEST VIDEO DIRECTOR
‘Calm Down’ by Director K (Rema)
BEST RAP ALBUM
‘Young Preacher‘ by Blaqbonez
5. LYRICIST ON THE ROLL
‘Flytalk Only’ by Payper Corleone
6. PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
‘Abracadabra’by Rexxie
7. BEST MALE ARTIST
Rema
8. ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
ODUMODUBLVCK
9. BEST INSPIRATIONAL SONG
‘Eze Ebube’ by Neon Adejo
10. AFROBEATS SINGLE OF THE YEAR
‘Last Last’ by Burna Boy
11. SPECIAL RECOGNITION’
Sound Sultan
12. DIGITAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
‘Calm Down’ by Rema
13. BEST STREET HIP-HOP ARTISTE
‘Chance (Na Ham)’ by Seyi Vibez
14. NEXT-RATED
Asake
15. ALBUM OF THE YEAR
‘Mr. Money With The Vibe’ by Asake
16. BEST COLLABORATION
‘Who’s Your Guy Remix’ by Spyro, Tiwa Savage
17. AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Rema (Nigeria)
18. BEST WEST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Black Sherif (Ghana)
19. BEST R&B Album
‘The Brother’s Keeper’ by Chike
20. INTERNATIONAL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Selena Gomez
21. BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR
‘Soweto’ by Victony, Tempoe
22. BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)
In Between by Waje
23. BEST CENTRAL AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Libianca (Cameroon)
24. HEADIES VIEWERS’ CHOICE
‘Soweto’ by Victony
25. BEST EAST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Diamond Platinumz (Tanzania)
26. BEST NORTH AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
El Grande Toto (Morocco)
26. SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
‘Loyal’ by Simi Kosoko, Goodsfavour Chidozie, Kosoko Adekunle, Marcel Akunwata
27. BEST R&B SINGLE
“For my hand’ by Burna Boy
28. BEST FEMALE ARTISTE
Ayra Starr
29. BEST SOUTHERN AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Focalistic (South Africa)
30. BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
‘Gbagada Express’ by BOJ
31. HALL OF FAME
Youssou N’dour