THE 15TH HEADIES Nominees List – WIZKID, AYRA STARR AND OTHERS Make Statements.
The global award for Afrobeats, The Headies, presents the list of Artistes, songs and music projects competing for a Headie plaque at The 15th Headies Awards ceremony holding on September 4, 2022, at the Cobbs Energy Performing Center, in Atlanta, USA.
Leading the nominations this year is Wizkid with 10 nominations; followed by a tie between first-time nominee, Ayra Starr and returning 2021 ‘Next Rated’ nominee, Tems, with eight nominations. DMW’s Davido follows with seven nominations, alongside former YBNL signee, Adekunle Gold. YBNL Record Label Boss and Pop singer, Olamide, his prodigy Fireboy, and Brymo follow with six nominations. Ladipoe, Lojay, and BNXN all bag five nominations. Closely followed by Vector, Sarz, A-Q and Blaqbonez who all have four nominations each.
This year, with the Award expanding outside the shores of its home country Nigeria to one of the world’s biggest music capital, Atlanta, USA, it has also expanded its scope of nominations to include more African regions and Artistes. This has increased the number of Award categories from 26 to 35 categories with 118 nominees in total and 27 of these nominees coming from other parts of Africa like Benin Republic, Tanzania, Rwanda, DR Congo, Cameroon, Carpe Verde, Kenya, Egypt, Tunisia, Morrocco, Algeria, South Africa, Mali, Mozambique, Sao Tome & Principe, and Ghana.
With the year in review spanning fifteen months from October 2020 to December 2021, a few categories have gotten more nominations than usual. Topping the list with the highest nominations for a category is “The Headies Viewer’s Choice Awards” with eight nominees.
Every year, The Headies welcomes new entrants and making debut appearances this year include Liya, Ibejii, Fave, Pink, Ayra Starr, Nektunez, Goya Menor, Ugoccie, Portable, Poco Lee, Made Kuti, Blaise Beats, Beats By Jayy, Rexxie, Lojay, Ruger, AV, Basketmouth, Ajebo Hustlers, T.I. Blaze, Magixx, Gyakie, Amaarae, Angélique Kidjo, Black Coffee and many other African talents.
During The Headies Big Announcement on March 12, 2022, the Executive Producer revealed the upgraded prize for the most coveted “Next Rated” category, the 2022 Bently Bentiaga. Strongly contending for this prize in 2022, are Mavin’s ‘19 & Dangerous sweetheart’ – Ayra Starr; BNXN formerly named Buju; Lojay; Ruger and the Marlian signee, Zinoleesky.
To further entrench its values as the global awards for Afrobeats, The Headies Academy have created more opportunities to include and celebrate more African talents on the world stage. Some of these changes include, updating the description of the “Next Rated” category from previously being opened to the Next Most Promising Artiste within the year, to also including artistes who have also released Albums or EPs with more than 5 tracks and/or 18 minutes play time, within the year in review. The Academy will also start considering artists for the Next Most Promising Artiste even if they’ve released albums in the year of review.
The “Headies Revelation of the Year” was dissolved. The “Artiste of the Year “category was also dissolved and replaced with the “Best Male Artiste” and “Best Female Artiste” of the Year. The “Best Pop Single” and “Best Pop Album” categories were both renamed “Best Afrobeats Song (Nigeria)” and “Best Afrobeats Album (Nigeria)”, to embrace the global music nomenclature for predominantly mainstream Nigerian music – “Afrobeats”.
Other new Award categories introduced include, “African Artiste of the Year”, “International Artiste Recognition”, “Best West African Artiste”, “Best East African Artiste”, “Best North African Artiste”, “Best Central African Artiste”, “Best Southern African Artiste” and Humanitarian Award of the Year”.
Joining the “Headies Hall of Fame” this year is one of Africa’s biggest music exports and daugther of Benin Republic, Angélique Kidjo. She will be the first female recipient of this recognition Award and the first since the Awards left it’s home country, Nigeria. Angelina Kidjoe will be joining the likes of King Sunny Ade, Evang. Ebenezer Obey; Chris Ubosi; 2Face Idibia; Sir. Victor Uwaifo; DJ Jimmy Jatt, Keke Ogungbe and Dayo D1’ Adeneye, Eddie Lawani & Ben Bruce; Obi Asika & Olisa Adibua; Phillip Trimnell; Femi Akinyemi Johnson & Grand Master Lee; Shina Peters; Femi Kuti; Kwam 1; and Laolu Akintobi.
For more information on The Headies, visit www.theheadies.com or follow @The_Headies on all social media platforms.
