The Headies 2022 Next Rated award is a special recognition awarded to the newest up-and-coming music artists who have set the fire burning and have at the same time maintained the artistic brilliance and balance for the year in review.
The category is by far the most sought after, controversial, and most important to budding artists especially. Great superstars like Asa, Wizkid, Davido, Wande Coal, Omawumi, Patoranking, Rema, Omah Lay, among others have been winners of the award. This is bearing in mind that winners of the category have gone on to make their mark internationally.
For the Headies 2022 next rated category, four strong and highly-rated Nigerian musicians have been nominated. They are, in no particular order, BNXN, Ayra Starr, Ruger, and Zinoleesky.
BNXN, reputed to be one of the best among his peers, is an undiluted Afro-fusion singer. He won the hearts of many following his adept delivery of songs like “Feelings”, “Confident”, “Mood”, and “Cold Outside”.
He is famed as one of the best hook takers in the Nigerian music industry. His alluring vocals and poignant lyrics are enviably scintillating to the ears. He has many features to his credit with popular stars such as Wizkid and Burna Boy
Similarly, Ayra Starr, the only woman on the list, is a phenomenal, distinct, and super talented singer. Just as her name “Ayra” denotes, she is “honourable and respected” in the Nigerian music scene.
She has released amazing projects, resonating lyrics, and super impressive rhythms. Small wonder, she stands side by side with the “big boys”.
Also, the Nigerian Afrobeat singer and songwriter, Ruger, came into the limelight not too long ago with his extremely mellifluous vocals and punchy lyrics.
The singer, who did not know if he would ever get to show the world how talented he was, has proven to be the life of the party with his songs. He has to his credits hit songs like “Bounce”, “Snapchat”, and “Dior”.
Zinoleesky, too, is undeniably another talented entertainer in the music industry with his exceptional and energetic songs. He has to his credit features with sought out artists like Zlatan, Mohbad, Lil Kesh, among others.
Indeed with these milestones to their name, the Headies 2022 Next Rated category is tight-raced. The nominees are no doubt, strong contenders.
Fans cannot help but worry in anticipation who carts home the prize of a 2022 Bentley Bentayga.
BNXN stands a higher chance of making it as the winner of the Next Rated award. He has the backing of A-list artists in the industry having collaborated with many of them and made world-class hits for them.
But when one considers that Don Jazzy effect, it leaves you thinking in the direction of Ayra Starr and Ruger — whose record label, Jonzing World, is affiliated with the Mavin brand.
Being a kingmaker and an influencer with over 14 million followers on Instagram adds gusto to Don Jazzy’s ability to swing the pendulum in favour of his artists at the Headies 2022 Next Rated awards.
Similarly, as talented as Zinoleesky is, he stands little or no chance at carting home the award because of the nature of his fanbase and the fact that the Next Rated category has shown itself to be won by musicians who are not indigenous artists. The loss of Lil Kesh, Zlatan, and Bella Shmurda at various editions of the awards is a critical example.
Irrespective of who goes home with the award, it will be a win-win for all of the nominees because making it to the list shows that they got noticed for their impeccable artistry, dedication, as well as invaluable contribution to the music industry.
See full list of nominess:
Rookie Of The Year
AV
Fave
Magixx
Portable
Ugoccie
Best Recording Of The Year
“Celebrate Me” – Patoranking
“Essence” – Wizkid Ft Tems
“Joy” – Falana
“Loving Is Harder” – Johnny Drille
“Meji Meji” – Brymo
“Somebody’s Son” – Tiwa Savage Ft Brandy
Producer Of The Year
Beats By Jayy – “Golden” (A-Q)
Blaise Beatz – “Sinner” (Adekunle Gold Feat. Lucky Daye)
Niphkeys – “Feel Good” (Mohbad)
P Priime – “Ozumba Mbadiwe” (Reekado Banks)
Pheelz – “High” (Adekunle Gold Feat. Davido)
Best R&B single
“Baby Riddim” – Fave
“Beggie Beggie” – Ayra Starr Feat. Ckay
“Essence” – Wizkid Feat. Tems
“Running (To You)” – Chike Feat. Simi
“Promise” – Niniola
“Sinner” – Adekunle Gold Feat. Luck Daye
Songwriter Of The Year
Adekunle Gold – “Sinner”
Ajebo Hustlers – “Loyalty”
Brymo – “Meji Meji”
Falana – “Joy”
Fireboy Dml – “Peru”
Omah Lay – “Understand”
Best Rap Single
Best Alternative Song
“Doings” – Flavour
2. “Free Your Mind” – Made Kuti
3. “Gonto” – Ibejii
4. “Hustle” – Basketmouth, The Cavemen, Bez, Dice Ailes
5. “Meji Meji” – Brymo
6. “Selense” – The Cavemen
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
1. Ayra Starr – “Toxic”
2. Liya – “Alari”
3. Niniola – “6th Heaven”
4. Simi – “Running (To You)”
5. Tems – “Essence”
6. Waje – “Last Time”
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
1. Brymo – “Meji Meji”
2. Johnny Drille – “Loving Is Harder”
3. Oxlade – “Ojuju”
4. Ric Hassani – “When I’m Gone”
5. Tay Iwar – “Peaking”
Best Music Video
“Champion” – (Fireboy Dml Feat. D Smoke) Directed By Tg Omori
“Ginger” – (Wizkid Feat. Burna Boy) Directed By Meji Alabi
“Roju” – (Chike) Directed By Pink
“Rain” – (Yemi Alade Feat. Mzansi Youth Choir) Directed By Ovie Etseyatse
“Bling” – (Blaqbonez Feat. Amaarae & Bnxn) Directed By Tg Omori
“Running” – (Ladipoe Feat. Fireboy Dml) Directed By Director K
Best Collaboration
1. “Beggie Beggie” – Ayra Starr Feat. Ckay
2. “Bling” – Blaqbonez Feat. Amaarae & Bnxn
3. “Early Momo” – Vector Feat. Goodgirl LA
4. “Essence” – Wizkid Feat. Tems
5. “Feeling” – Ladipoe Feat. Bnxn
“Running (To You)” – Chike Feat. Simi
Best Street-Hop Artiste
1. Bella Shmurda – “Cash App” Feat. Zlatan & Lincoln
2. Rexxie & Mohbad – “Kpk”
3. Mohbad – “Feel Good”
4. Naira Marley – “Koleyewon”
5. Nektunez & Goya Menor – “Ameno Amapiano (Remix)”
6. Poco Lee, Portable & Olamide – “Zazoo Zehh”
Best Afrobeats Single Of The Year
–
“Bloody Samaritan” – Ayra Starr
“Bounce” – Ruger
“High” – Adekunle Gold Feat. Davido
“Monalisa” – Lojay & Sarz
“Ozumba Mbadiwe” – Reekado Banks
“Peru” – Fireboy Dml
Headies’ Viewer’s Choice
1. Ayra Starr – “Bloody Samaritan”
2. Fireboy – “Peru” ( @Fireboydml )
3. Joeboy – “Sip”
4. Lojay & Sarz – “Monalisa”
5. Nektunez & Goya Menor – “Ameno Amapiano (Remix)”
6. Olamide Feat. Omah Lay – “Infinity”
7. Rema – “Soundgasm”
8. Wizkid Feat. Tems – “Essence”
Best West African Artiste Of The Year
1. Amaarae (Ghana)
2. Angelique Kidjo (Benin)
3. Aya Nakamura (Mali)
4. Gyakie (Ghana)
5. Kidi (Ghana)
6. Nelson Freitas (Cape Verde)
Best East African Artiste Of The Year
1. Diamond Platinumz (Tanzania)
2. Eddy Kenzo (Uganda)
3. Harmonize (Tanzania)
4. Meddy (Rwanda)
5. Nikita Kering (Kenya)
6. Zuchu (Tanzania)
Best North African Artiste Of The Year
–
1. Emel Mathlouthi (Tunisia)
2. Elgrandetoto (Morocco)
3. Latifa (Tunisia)
4. Manal (Morocco)
5. Muhamad Ramadan (Egypt)
6. Soolking (Algeria)
Best Southern African Artiste Of The Year
–
1. Black Coffee (South Africa)
2. Dj Tarico (Mozambique)
3. Elaine (South Africa)
4. Focalistic (South Africa)
5. Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)
6. Sha Sha (Zimbabwe)
Best Afrobeats Album
“19 And Dangerous” – Ayra Starr
“A Better Time” – Davido
“Barnabas” – Kizz Daniel
“Made In Lagos (Deluxe Edition)” – Wizkid
“Kpos Lifestyle” – Ajebo Hustlers
“Wondaland” – Teni
Best Reggae & Dancehall Album
–
1. “Gratitude” – Timaya
2. “Love Is War” – Prettyboy D-O
3. “Rainbow Riddim” – Shank
4. “Three” – Patoranking
5. “Yaadman Kingsize” – Yung L
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
1. “9: Esan” – Brymo
2. “19 & Dangerous” – Ayra Starr
3. “Carpe Diem” – Olamide
4. “Legacy +” – Femi Kuti & Made Kuti
5. “Made In Lagos (Deluxe Edition)” – Wizkid
6. “Yabasi” – Basketmouth
Song Of The Year
“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
Simi
Tems
Tiwa Savage
Teni
Niniola
Best Male Artiste
1. Adekunle Gold
2. Burna Boy
3. Davido
4. Flavour
5. Olamide
6. Wizkid
Next Rated
1. Ayra Starr
2. Bnxn
3. Lojay
4. Ruger
5. Zinoleesky
African Artiste Of The Year
–
1. Black Coffee (Nigeria)
2. Burna Boy (Nigeria)
3. Davido (Nigeria)
4. Diamond Platinumz (Tanzania)
5. Soolking (Algeria)
6. Wizkid (Nigeria)
7. Aya Nakamura (Mali )
Lyricist On The Roll
1. A-Q – “The Last Cypher”
2. Blaqbonez – “The Last Cypher”
3. Jesse Jagz – “Vipers”
4. Ladipoe – “Providence”
5. Payper Corleone – “In Don We Trust”
6. Vector – “Crown Of Clay”
Humanitarian Award Of The Year
1. 2face Idibia
2. Ruggedman
3. Davido
4. Don Jazzy
East Central African Artiste Of The Year
1. Calema (Sao Tome & Principe)
2. Blanche Bailly (Cameroon)
3. Dadju (Dr Congo)
4. Fally Ipupa (Dr Congo)
5. Innoss’b (Dr Congo)
6. Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
Best Rap Single
1. “Breathe” – A-Q Feat Chike
2. “Crown Of Clay” – Vector & Mi Abaga Feat. Pheelz
3. “Early Momo” – Vector Feat. Goodgirl LA
4. “Feeling” – Ladipoe Feat. Bnxn
5. “Tycoon” – Show Dem Camp – Feat. Reminisce & Mojo
6. “Loading” – Olamide Feat Bad Boy Timz
