The 16th annual Headies Awards ceremony took place on September 3, 2023, celebrating the biggest and brightest stars in the Nigerian music industry. Since 2006, the Headies have honored the top achievements and contributions of Afrobeats artists, producers, and directors.
The prestigious show was held in Atlanta, Georgia, marking the second straight year it transpired in the United States. The glamorous event recognized Nigerian musical excellence across a range of categories including Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Album of the Year, Best Music Video, and more.
Leading the pack of nominees was breakout star Rema with 12 nominations. Fan favorites like Asake, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tems were also up for major awards. The Headies continue to play an integral role in Nigerian pop culture, providing a platform to highlight rising talent and honor veteran hitmakers.
Headies Awards Winners 2023
Below is the full list of winners from the landmark 16th edition of the Headies Awards:
Best Alternative Song
Winner: Obong Jayar for “Tinko Tinko”
Best Music Video Director
Winner: Director K for “Calm Down” (Rema)
Best Rap Single
Winner: ODUMODUBLVCK for “Declan Rice”
Best Male Vocal Performance
Winner: Wande Coal for “Kpe Paso”
Best Rap Album
Winner: Blaqbonez for “Young Preacher”
Lyricist on the Roll
Winner: Payper Corleone for “Flytalk Only”
Producer of the Year
Winner: Rexxie for “Abracadabra”
Best Male Artist
Winner: Rema
Best Inspirational Song
Winner: Neon Adejo for “Eze Ebube”
Afrobeats Single of the Year
Winner: Burna Boy for “Last Last”
Rookie of the Year
Winner: ODUMODUBLVCK
Special Recognition
Winner: Sound Sultan
Digital Artist of the Year
Winner: Rema for “Calm Down”
Best Street Hip-Hop Artiste
Winner: Seyi Vibez for “Chance (Na Ham)”
Next Rated
Winner: Asake
Album of the Year
Winner: Asake for “Mr. Money With The Vibe”
Best Collaboration
Winners: Spyro and Tiwa Savage for “Who’s Your Guy Remix”
African Artist of the Year
Winner: Rema (Nigeria)
Best West African Artist
Winner: Black Sherif (Ghana)
International Artist of the Year
Winner: Selena Gomez
Best Recording of the Year
Winners: Victony and Tempoe for “Soweto”
Best Female Vocal Performance
Winner: Waje for “In Between”
Best Central African Artist
Winner: Libianca (Cameroon)
Best R&B Album
Winner: Chike for “The Brother’s Keeper”
Headies Viewers’ Choice
Winner: Victony for “Soweto”
Best East African Artist
Winner: Diamond Platinumz (Tanzania)
Best North African Artist
Winner: El Grande Toto (Morocco)
Songwriter of the Year
Winners: Simi Kosoko, Goodsfavour Chidozie, Kosoko Adekunle, Marcel Akunwata for “Loyal”
Best R&B Single
Winner: Burna Boy for “For My Hand”
Best Female Artist
Winner: Ayra Starr
Best Southern African Artist
Winner: Focalistic (South Africa)
Best Alternative Album
Winner: BOJ for “Gbagada Express”
Hall of Fame
Winner: Youssou N’DourCopyRetry
The 2023 Headies celebrated the vibrant Nigerian music scene, with winners spanning multiple genres, regions, and generations. Rema, Asake, and Burna Boy were among the top honorees of the night. Congratulations to all the talented artists recognized at this year’s show.
