By Daniel Edu
The 16th Headies Award ceremony took place in Atlanta, Georgia, for the second consecutive year on Sunday, September 3, 2023. Since its inception in 2006, the Headies has been instrumental in recognizing and celebrating the achievements of the Nigerian music industry, making its awards one of the most prestigious in the country. Here is the complete list of winners:
1. **BEST RAP SINGLE**: “Declan Rice” by ODUMODUBLVCK
2. **BEST MALE VOCAL PERFORMANCE**: “Kpe Paso” by Wande Coal
3. **BEST ALTERNATIVE SONG**: “Tinko Tinko” by Obong Jayar
4. **BEST VIDEO DIRECTOR**: “Calm Down” directed by Director K (Rema)
5. **BEST RAP ALBUM**: “Young Preacher” by Blaqbonez
6. **LYRICIST ON THE ROLL**: “Flytalk Only” by Payper Corleone
7. **PRODUCER OF THE YEAR**: “Abracadabra” by Rexxie
8. **BEST MALE ARTIST**: Rema
9. **ROOKIE OF THE YEAR**: ODUMODUBLVCK
10. **BEST INSPIRATIONAL SONG**: “Eze Ebube” by Neon Adejo
11. **AFROBEATS SINGLE OF THE YEAR**: “Last Last” by Burna Boy
12. **SPECIAL RECOGNITION**: Sound Sultan
13. **DIGITAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR**: “Calm Down” by Rema
14. **BEST STREET HIP-HOP ARTISTE**: “Chance (Na Ham)” by Seyi Vibez
15. **NEXT-RATED**: Asake
16. **ALBUM OF THE YEAR**: “Mr. Money With The Vibe” by Asake
17. **BEST COLLABORATION**: “Who’s Your Guy Remix” by Spyro featuring Tiwa Savage
18. **AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR**: Rema (Nigeria)
19. **BEST WEST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR**: Black Sherif (Ghana)
20. **BEST R&B Album**: “The Brother’s Keeper” by Chike
21. **INTERNATIONAL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR**: Selena Gomez
22. **BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR**: “Soweto” by Victony and Tempoe
23. **BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)**: “In Between” by Waje
24. **BEST CENTRAL AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR**: Libianca (Cameroon)
25. **HEADIES VIEWERS’ CHOICE**: “Soweto” by Victony
26. **BEST EAST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR**: Diamond Platinumz (Tanzania)
27. **BEST NORTH AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR**: El Grande Toto (Morocco)
28. **SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR**: “Loyal” by Simi Kosoko, Goodsfavour Chidozie, Kosoko Adekunle, Marcel Akunwata
29. **BEST R&B SINGLE**: “For My Hand” by Burna Boy
30. **BEST FEMALE ARTISTE**: Ayra Starr
31. **BEST SOUTHERN AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR**: Focalistic (South Africa)
32. **BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM**: “Gbagada Express” by BOJ
33. **HALL OF FAME**: Youssou N’dour
Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding contributions to the Nigerian music industry.
