The upcoming ceremony, themed “Back to Base”, is scheduled for April 27, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
The Headies Awards has officially unveiled its official lineup of performers for the 17th edition of the Headies Awards, with Shallipopi, Yemi Alade, and Flavour among the standout acts set to take the stage. The upcoming ceremony, themed “Back to Base”, is scheduled for April 27, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos.
This year’s edition marks a significant return to Nigerian soil, following recent editions held abroad. It will be the first of two ceremonies to be held in 2025. The Academy has confirmed that a second edition is planned for December, in a bid to eliminate the recurring gap year that has previously disrupted the awards’ annual rhythm.
Leading the list of performers is Shallipopi, who secured six nominations, including a nod for the highly coveted ‘Next Rated’ category. His performance is expected to be one of the ceremony’s highlights as the Street-Pop maverick continues to solidify his mainstream presence.
Joining him on stage are fellow Next Rated nominees, Qing Madi and Nasboi, each artiste offering a unique take on Nigeria’s ever-expanding sonic palette. Also announced is Chike, a former Headies winner and current four-time nominee this year, including a nomination for ‘Song of the Year’.
Rounding out the lineup is Flavour, the celebrated Highlife artiste and recipient of the Headies ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, whose appearance further underscores the award’s renewed commitment to celebrating legacy acts alongside emerging voices.
As anticipation builds for the April ceremony, the return of the Headies to Lagos and its two-part format for 2025 signals a recalibrated vision that embraces both the roots and the global ambition of Nigerian music.