Past event and winners of THE HEADIES Award

The Headies (formerly known as the Hip Hop World Awards) are an accolade established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World Magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievement in the Nigerian music industry. The annual ceremony features performances by established and promising artists.^[1] It is broadcast live on HipTv to television viewers across Nigeria.^[2] In 2006 and 2007, The Headies were held at the Muson Center in Onikan, Lagos State. From 2010 through 2012, The Headies were held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos. Several media personalities in Nigeria have hosted the annual ceremony, including Darey Art Alade, D'banj, Dakore Egbuson, Banky W., Rita Dominic, M.I,Tiwa Savage, and Dr SID.


The image of The Headie was created by Ayo Animashaun, the founder of the awards, and drawn by Matthias Aragbada. The first Headie plaque was done by Jide Adewoye. It represents "the image and the shout of a young, vibrant man whose talent can challenge that of Nas, Mode 9, Kanye West,Sound Sultan and Jay Z combined but who has almost lost confidence in his abilities in the face of daunting odds presented by the Nigerian environment." In 2008, the plaque was redone in the United Kingdom. It was plated with 21 carat gold. The new plaque is a mixture of resin, copper, steel, marble, and gold.^[1]

2006–2013

2006: The first Hip Hop World Awards were held on 10 March 2006 at the Shell Hall of the MUSON Centre in Onikan, Lagos. It was hosted by Darey Art Alade and tagged with the caption: "The revolution is here".^[11] Dj Jimmy Jatt, Keke Ogungbe, and Dayo 'D1' Adeneye won the Hip Hop World Hall of Fame award.^] P-Square and Jude Okoye eclipsed their colleagues that year, taking home five awards.

2007: The second Hip Hop World Awards were also held at the Shell Hall of the MUSON Centre on 17 March 2007; it was hosted by D'banj and Tana. The theme for that year was: "The Best Gets Better".^[11] The Hall of Fame accolade was awarded to Eddie Lawani and Ben Bruce. D'banj's "Why Me" won the Song of the Year award while Cobhams Asuquo took home the award for Producer of the Year. Rapper Mode 9 took home two awards, making him the biggest awardee of the night.^[12]

2008: The third Hip Hop World Awards experienced a few upgrades. The venue was changed from the MUSON Centre to Planet One in Maryland, Lagos. Comedian Basketmouth and actress Dakore Egbuson hosted the ceremony. The founders and promoters of the accolade chose the theme "Change has to Change". The nominees' party was held at Babylon, a private beach resort.^[11]

In 2008, the plaque of The Headies were plated with 21 carat gold.^[11] Nigerian-French singer Aṣa won four awards, including Recording of the Year and Best Female Vocal Performance. Naeto C, Rooftop MCs, Cobhams, Kween, Jo'zi, and P-Square were among the performers who graced the stage that night. Wande Coal was awarded a car for winning the first ever "Next Rated" award.

2009: The fourth Hip Hop World Awards were held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, Nigeria. It was the first time that the annual ceremony was held outside of Lagos. Banky W and Kemi Adetiba were the hosts. Omawumi won a new car for her win in the Next Rated category. The nominees' party for the fourth edition was hosted at Ajibogun, a village in Ogun State Phillip Trimnell took home the Hall of Fame award. 9ice won three awards, including Artiste of the Year.

2010: The fifth Hip Hop World Awards were held at the Eko Hotels and Suites on 29 May 2010. No one hosted the show that year. The nominations' announcement was streamed over the internet.Wande Coal took home four awards that night, the notable being Artiste of the Year. Da Grinreceived a posthumous award for Best Rap Album. General Hype dedicated his performance to the departed rapper.

2011: The six Hip Hop World Awards, hosted by Rita Dominic and ElDee, were also held at the Eko Hotels and Suites on 22 October 2011. The name Hip Hop World Awards was revamped into The Headies, a name derived from "Headie", the name for the 21 carat gold-plated Hip Hop World Award plaque. The theme song for the six edition of the award, titled "Breaking from the Norm", was recorded by Wizkid, Ice Prince, and Waje. The song was produced by Samklef and briefed at The Headies Secretariat. Wizkid won the Next Rated category that year for the song "Holla at Your Boy". He was awarded a 2012 Hyundai Sonata at the Silverbird Galleria in Victoria Island, Lagos. 2 Face Idibia walked home with three plaques, including the Artiste of the Year plaque.

2012: The seven edition of The Headies were held on 20 October 2012, at the Eko Hotels and Suites. It was hosted by rapper M.I and singer Omawumi. P-Square, along with their elder brother Jude Engees Okoye, took home a total of 4 awards. Femi Kuti won the Hall of Fame award that year.

2013: The eighth edition of the Headies were held at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos on 26 December 2013. It was hosted by Tiwa Savage and Dr SID, two artists signed to Mavin Records. Olamide,Phyno, Davido, Sean Tizzle and Waje took home awards for their contribution to Nigerian Music Industry. Olamide took home three awards and was the biggest awardee of the night. Veteran Fuji artist Wasiu Ayinde was inducted into the Headies' Hall of Fame. Harrysong's tribute song to Nelson Mandela, titled "Mandela", won the Most Downloaded Callertune award.