The Headies Award
The headies Award has evolved over the years and has become a household name in the Nigerian music industry. When did headies begin? What are the lists of award category?, Highlights of the past events? What will you like to know about the Headies award? Read below
The Headies: Photo-credit The Guardian Nigeria
When did Headies Award Start?
The Headies is a Nigerian music awards ceremony organised by the Hip Hop World Magazine of Nigeria in 2006 to recognize, reward and celebrate outstanding talents in the Nigerian music industry
This annual event features performances by established and upcoming Superstars in the Nigerian music industry. It is broadcast live on Hip TV to viewers across Nigeria
Highlights of Past Headies Award Event
Started out as the Hip Hop World Awards in 2006, here some highlights of past headies
2006 Hip Hop World Awards
The 1st edition of the Hip Hop World Awards
Date: 10 March 2006,
The venue of the Event: The Shell Hall of the MUSON Centre in Onikan, Lagos.
Host: Darey Art Alade
Theme: The Revolution is Here.
2007 Hip Hop World Awards
The 2nd edition of the Hip Hop World Awards
Date: 17 March 2007
The venue of the Event: the Muson Center (for the second consecutive year)
Theme:
Hosts: D’banj and Tana.
2008 Hip Hop World Awards
The 3rd edition of the Hip Hop World Awards
Date: 15 March 2008
The venue of the Event: Planet One in Maryland, Lagos
Hosts: Comedian Basketmouth and Nollywood actress Dakore Egbuson
Theme: Change has to Change
Random Gist: In this edition, the plaque of The Headies was plated with 21-carat gold and the nominees’ party was held at Babylon, a private beach resort
2009 Hip Hop World Awards
The 4th edition of the Hip Hop World Awards was
Date: 16 May 2009 at
The venue of Event: The International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Hosts: Banky W. and Kemi Adetiba.
Random Gist: The nominees’ party for this edition were hosted at Ajibogun, a village in Ogun State.
2010 Hip Hop World Awards
The 5th edition of the Hip Hop World Awards
Date: 16 May 2009
The venue of the Event: Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Host: None.
2011 Hip Hop World Awards
The 6th edition of the Hip Hop World Awards
Date: 22 October 2011
The venue of the Event: Tthe Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Hosts: Rita Dominic and eLDee,
Random Gist: This edition was when the award’s name was officially changed to “The Headies”.In addition, a total of 21-cart gold plaques were handed out
2012 Headies
The 7th edition of The Headies
Date: 20 October 2012
The venue of the Event: the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos
Hosts: M.I Abaga and Omawunmi.
Random Gist: The hosts, MI and Omawunmi, thrilled the fans with a song titled “The Headies“.
2013 Headies
The 8th edition of The Headies
Date: 26 December 2013
The venue of the Event: The Oriental Hotel in Lagos
Hosts: Tiwa Savage and Dr SID.
2014 Headies
The 9th edition of The Headies
Date: 14 December 2014
The Venue of the event: The Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Theme: Feel the Passion
Hosts: Toke Makinwa and Basketmouth.
Random Gist: This edition was initially scheduled to feat on 25 October 2014 and Bovi was initially announced as one of the hosts but was booked for another show
2015 Headies
The 10th edition of The Headies
Date: 1 January 2016 (previously scheduled to hold on 30 December 2015)
The venue of the Event: The Landmark Events Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Themed “Flip the Script”,
Hosts: Bovi and Kaffy.
Random Gist: In this edition, Reekado Banks won the Next Rated award but his win was criticized by music critics, who challenged the “Fairness of the award process”
2016 Headies
The 11th edition of The Headies
Date: 22 December 2016
The venue of the Event: The Eko Convention Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos
Theme: Think, Create, Recreate
Hosts: Adesua Etomi and Falz.
2018 Headies
The 12th edition of The Headies
Date: 5 May 2018 at
The venue of the Event: The Eko Convention Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos
Hosts: Nigerian comedian Bovi and singer Seyi Shay
2019 Headies
The 13th edition
Date: 19 October 2019
The venue of the event: The Eko Convention Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Theme: Power of a Dream
Hosted: Nigerian rapper Reminisce and actress/media personality Nancy Isime.
Headies Award Plague Design
The founder of Headies, Ayo Animashaun, created the image of Headies, and was sketched and drawn by Matthias Aragbada., and Jide Adewoye created the first plague.
When asked what the award represents:
It signifies 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.”
The old plague designs were plated with 21-karat gold, now, it’s made of different materials and alloys such as steel, gold, resin, and copper
Headies Award Groupings and Categories
The Headies, over the years, have increased their catalogues of the awards issued and this is to recognize more talents from a different genre of music. As of 2018, The Headies is composed of 25 categories. The award is also grouped into ‘voting’, ‘non-voting’, and ‘miscellaneous awards’.
Headies Award Voting Groups
Producer of the Year
African Artiste of the Year
Best Music Video Director
Artiste of the Year
Best Rap Single
Song of the Year
Best Collaboration
Album of the Year
Next Rated
Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year
Best R&B/Pop Album
Best Street Hop Artiste
Best R&B Single
Best Pop Single
Rookie of the Year
Viewer’s Choice
Headies Award Non-voting Groups
Best Recording of the Year
Best Rap Album
Best Vocal Performance
Best Vocal Performance
Lyricist on the Roll
Best Performer
Headies’ Miscellaneous Groups
Hall of Fame
Special Recognition Award
Artists with Most Number of Headies awards
11 Wizkid
9 Mode 9
8 Davido
8 2 Face Idibia
7 Olamide
7 Wande Coal
6 P-Square
6 MI Abaga
5 Timi Dakolo
5 9ice
5 Jude Okoye
4 D’banj
4 Aṣa
4 Don Jazzy
4 Darey
4 Vector
4 Paul Play
