Headies announce 2015 nominees

This edition sees the return of the usual suspects, with last year’s big winner Olamide topping the nominee list. The rapper, whose album Baddest Guy Ever Liveth won both the Album of the Year and Rap Album of the Year categories in 2014, has received eight nominations this year. They include Best Pop Single, Best Street-hop Artiste as well as Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year and Album of the Year.

Olamide also manages to get two nominations in the Best Collaboration category. Perhaps the most surprising inclusion is the rapper’s Best Producer nomination for ‘Bobo’, where he is joined by well-known producers Cobhams, Don Jazzy, Legendury Beats, Masterkraft and Shizzi.

Up next is Wizkid. The ‘Ojuelegba’ singer has seven nominations including Recording of the Year, Best Collaboration, Song of the Year and Album of the Year.

For his contributions to the industry, 2face Idibia, who turned 40 recently, is to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The much coveted Lyricist on the Roll category, won half dozen times consecutively by rapper Mode Nine, has Reminisce square up against former winner Vector and Ill Bliss. TR (formerly known as Terry tha Rapman who took a hiatus from the industry) makes up the list.

South African rappers and rivals AKA and Cassper Nyovest receive nominations in the African Artiste category.

Full list below:

BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR

A non-voting category for the best single recording by an artiste or group in the year under review.

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

An individual responsible for producing the most acclaimed song or album in the year under review.

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

A voting category for the best conceptualist, best directed and most exciting video in the year under review. This award goes to the video director.

BEST R&B/POP ALBUM

A category for the best R&B/Pop Album in the year under review (by single individual or group).

BEST R&B SINGLE

A category for the best R&B single in the year under review (by a single individual or group).

BEST POP SINGLE

A category for the best pop single in year under review (by single individual or group)

BEST REGGAE/DANCEHALL SINGLE

A category for the best Reggae/Dancehall single in the year under review (by single individual or group)

BEST RAP ALBUM

A Non-Voting Category for the Best Album By A Rap Artiste Or Group In Year Under Review.

BEST COLLABO

A voting category for the best R&B, Pop or Hip-hop collaborative track (including cameos).

BEST RAP SINGLE

A voting category for a single (released on-air) recording of a rap.

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (MALE)

A non-voting category for the single male artiste with the most outstanding vocal performance on a single song or album.

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)

A non-voting category for the single female artiste with most outstanding vocal performances on a single song or album.

NEXT RATED

This category is a voting category for the most promising upcoming act in the year under review.

HIP HOP WORLD REVELATION

A voting category for the best new artiste in the year under review.

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.

BEST STREET-HOP ARTISTE

A voting category for the artiste whose songs are inspired by the streets. Such song should captain lingua, which may also be originated by the artiste and popular on the street.

BEST ‘ALTERNATIVE’ SONG

A voting category for the artiste whose songs reflect any form or style of music which falls outside the mainstream of recent or past popular musical trends.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

A voting category for the best album (solo or group) in year under review, that meets judges requirements of excellence (Songwriting, production, rendition and promotion) and acceptability (Sales and popularity).

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

Most critically and commercially adjudged artiste in the year under review. Overall most successful artiste for the year under review.

SONG OF THE YEAR

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

AFRICAN ARTISTE

A non-Nigerian award category for an individual African artiste or group with the most outstanding achievement, impact and infiltration into the Nigerian music scene in the year under review.

HALL OF FAME

Special recognition for excellence and outstanding impact to the entertainment industry.