[The Headies Award 2023]: See the full list of winners
The list featured new discoveries, as well as prominent Afrobeats musicians whose sounds remain buzzing on streaming platforms.

It was the 16th edition of The Headies Award, held on Sunday, September 3, 2023, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta Georgia.
The global Afrobeats award ceremony had the hosts, Nigerian actress, Osas Ighodaro, and American presenter, Terrence J striking a remarkable bond to deliver an experience to audiences who are spread around the world.
Here is a look at the full list of winners that music lovers should be watching through the rest of the year and beyond.
BEST RAP SINGLE
‘Declan Rice’ by ODUMODUBLVCK
BEST MALE VOCAL PERFORMANCE
‘Kpe Paso’ by Wande Coal
BEST ALTERNATIVE SONG
‘Tinko Tinko’ by Obong Jayar
BEST VIDEO DIRECTOR
‘Calm Down’ by Director K (Rema)
BEST RAP ALBUM
‘Young Preacher‘ by Blaqbonez
LYRICIST ON THE ROLL
‘Flytalk Only’ by Payper Corleone
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
‘Abracadabra’by Rexxie
BEST MALE ARTIST
Rema
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
ODUMODUBLVCK
BEST INSPIRATIONAL SONG
‘Eze Ebube’ by Neon Adejo
AFROBEATS SINGLE OF THE YEAR
‘Last Last’ by Burna Boy
SPECIAL RECOGNITION’
Sound Sultan
DIGITAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
‘Calm Down’ by Rema
BEST STREET HIP-HOP ARTISTE
‘Chance (Na Ham)’ by Seyi Vibez
NEXT-RATED
Asake
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
‘Mr. Money With The Vibe’ by Asake
BEST COLLABORATION
‘Who’s Your Guy Remix’ by Spyro, Tiwa Savage
AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Rema (Nigeria)
BEST WEST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Black Sherif (Ghana)
BEST R&B Album
‘The Brother’s Keeper’ by Chike
INTERNATIONAL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Selena Gomez
BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR
‘Soweto’ by Victony, Tempoe
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)
‘In Between’ by Waje
BEST CENTRAL AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Libianca (Cameroon)
HEADIES VIEWERS’ CHOICE
‘Soweto’ by Victony
BEST EAST AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Diamond Platinumz (Tanzania)
BEST NORTH AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
El Grande Toto (Morocco)
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
‘Loyal’ by Simi Kosoko, Goodsfavour Chidozie, Kosoko Adekunle, Marcel Akunwata
BEST R&B SINGLE
‘For my hand’ by Burna Boy
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE
Ayra Starr
BEST SOUTHERN AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Focalistic (South Africa)
BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
‘Gbagada Express’ by BOJ
HALL OF FAME
Youssou N’dour

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.