Brymo, Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, others bag Headies Nominations

Afrobeats superstars Wizkid, Davido, and Burns Boy, are among the biggest names on the list of Nominees released ahead of the 15th Headies Music Award.

The Big 3 of the Nigerian music industry, as they are unofficially regarded, are joined on the list by legendary rapper and Talent manager, Olamido, as well as emerging stars like Zinolesky, Fave, Ugoccie and Portable.

While the big three are represented on the list, they are not the most prominent nominees, as this year’s nominations appear to tilt towards the unusual.

Self-styled Nigeria’s best performer, Brymo, is one of the leading nominees for this year’s awards as his hit song, “Meji Meji,” is nominated for best recording of the year, Songwriter of the year, best alternative Song, and Best vocal performance awards.

The big wigs are heavily represented in the album of the year category, with Wizkid’s “Made In Lagos” Deluxe version going head to head with Davido’s “A better Time” for the coveted award.

Announcing via Its Twitter account, Headies revealed that Grammy-award winning superstar Angelique Kidjo would this year be admitted into the Headies all of Fame. In addition, the organisers also announced a special recognition award shortlist for Bose Ogulu, a.k.a Mama Burna,  Efe Omorogbe, and Wizkid’s legendary manager, Sunday Are.

Shortly after releasing the list of nominees, the organisers announced this year’s award would take place in Atlanta, USA. It further revealed that new categories had been introduced to allow other brilliant African music stars to be celebrated.

The usually hotly contested Next-rated category for this year’s award has some of the best new entrants in the industry going against one another. Mavin’s Bloody Samaritan crooner, Ayra, headlines a shortlist that features Buju, Lojay, Ruger and Zinolesky.

Check below for a complete list of Nominations for the 15th Headies Award:

Best R&B Album

“Before We Fall Asleep” – Johnny Drille
“If Orange Was A Place” – Tems
“Love Deep High Life” – Omawumi
“Rising” – Falana
“The Prince I Became” – Ric Hassani
“Water And Garri” – Tiwa Savage

Best Alternative Album

“9: Esan” – Brymo
“Intermission” – Ibejii
“Legacy +” – Femi Kuti & Made Kuti
“Love And Highlife” – The Cavemen
“P.S. Thank You For Waiting” – Wavy The Creator
“Yabasi” – Basketmouth

Best Rap Album

“Carpe Diem” – Olamide
“Clone Wars Vol. 5 – The Algorhythm” – Show Dem Camp
“Golden” – A-Q
“Mafia Culture, Vol. 2.0” – Idowest
“Providence” – Ladipoe
“Sex Over Love” – Blaqbonez

Album Of The Year

A voting category for the best album (solo or group) in the year under review, that meets judges’ requirements of excellence (songwriting, production, rendition and impact).

•  “9: ESAN” – BRYMO
• “19 & DANGEROUS” – AYRA STARR
• “CARPE DIEM” – OLAMIDE
• “LEGACY +” – FEMI KUTI & MADE KUTI
• “MADE IN LAGOS (DELUXE EDITION)” – WIZKID
• “YABASI” – BASKETMOUTH

SONG OF THE YEAR

A voting category for the most popular song in the year under review.

• “CELEBRATE ME” – PATORANKING
• “DOINGS” – FLAVOUR feat. PHYNO
• “ESSENCE” – WIZKID feat. TEMS
• “HIGH” – ADEKUNLE GOLD feat. DAVIDO
• “MONALISA” – LOJAY & SARZ
• “PERU” – FIREBOY DML

BEST FEMALE ARTISTE

Overall most successful female artiste (with artistic quality and/or impact) in the year under review.

• SIMI
• TEMS
• TIWA SAVAGE
• TENI
• NINIOLA

BEST MALE ARTISTE

Overall most successful male artiste (with artistic quality and/or impact) in the year under review.

• ADEKUNLE GOLD
• BURNA BOY
• DAVIDO
• FLAVOUR
• OLAMIDE
• WIZKID

NEXT RATED

This category is a voting category for the most promising act (with an EP or Album) in the year under review.

• AYRA STARR
• BNXN
• LOJAY
• RUGER
• ZINOLEESKY

AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

A voting award category for an individual African artiste or group with the most outstanding achievement, impact and infiltration into the International music scene within the year under review.

• BLACK COFFEE (NIGERIA)
• BURNA BOY (NIGERIA)
• DAVIDO (NIGERIA)
• DIAMOND PLATINUMZ (TANZANIA)
• SOOLKING (ALGERIA)
• WIZKID (NIGERIA)
• AYA NAKAMURA (MALI)

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTE RECOGNITION

Special recognition to an individual(s) for excellence and outstanding impact on the Nigerian entertainment industry within a specific period and/or the year under review.

• WYCLEF JEAN
• AKON
• DIDDY

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Special recognition to an individual(s) for excellence and outstanding impact to the entertainment industry within the year under review.

• BOSE OGULU
• SUNDAY ARE
• EFE OMOROGBE

HALL OF FAME

Special recognition to an individual of African Descent, for excellence and outstanding impact on the African entertainment industry, home and abroad.

• ANGELIQUE KIDJO

LYRICIST ON THE ROLL

A non-voting category for the rap artiste with the best lyrical depth and performance on a single song or album.

• A-Q – “THE LAST CYPHER”
• BLAQBONEZ – “THE LAST CYPHER”
• JESSE JAGZ – “VIPERS”
• LADIPOE – “PROVIDENCE”
• PAYPER CORLEONE – “IN DON WE TRUST”
• VECTOR – “CROWN OF CLAY”

HUMANITARIAN AWARD OF THE YEAR

A voting category to recognise and Award extraordinary individuals and/or groups who have positively impacted the lives of people, nature and society within the year in review.

• 2FACE IDIBIA
• RUGGEDMAN
• DAVIDO
• DON JAZZY

BEST CENTRAL AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

A voting award category for an individual African artiste or group (of Central African Descent) with the most outstanding achievement and impact across Africa in the year under review.

• CALEMA (SAO TOME & PRINCIPE)
• BLANCHE BAILLY (CAMEROON)
• DADJU (DR CONGO)
• FALLY IPUPA (DR CONGO)
• INNOSS’B (DR CONGO)
• SORAIA RAMOS (CAPE VERDE)