The Headies Next Rated award is the most coveted of such award categories in the growing Nigerian music scene.
Since debuting at the very first edition of the Hip-Hop World Awards (2006-2011) -before they rebrand to become the Headies, Next Rated has been dedicated to awarding the “most promising upcoming act in the year under review.”
With a new car added to the winner’s incentive alongside the Headies plaque, the Next Rated category is the most celebrated of the awards show.
The 14th Headies awards is here and it feels like a great time to recap all the previous winners from 2006 till date:
Asa (2006)
With two classic singles –Eye Adaba and Fire on the Mountain, Asa was the ideal generational talent that kick-start the Next Rated award.
Overdose (2007)
Young, vibrant and flashy, Overdose ran home with the award, leaving behind promising including Naeto C, Gino, Kage, Blaise, C-Mion, and Lawal Olumo.
Wande Coal (2008)
Nobody in their right minds expected any other artiste but Wande Coal to pick up the Headies at the 2008 edition of the hip-hop world awards. At the time, Wande Coal had already proven himself as a superstar in the waiting.
Omawunmi (2009)
The songbird sang through to the prestigious award, blowing away YQ, MP, Kel, and D’Jinee.
Skuki (2010)
The singer brothers were in fine form, mobilising their fan base to push them to the top via voting. It was at the cost of Jesse Jagz, General Pype, D’Prince and Mo’Cheddah missing out.
Wizkid (2011)
The former EME act took Nigeria by storm, conquering the country with his acclaimed debut album, Superstar. His trail left a list of worthy winners including Tiwa Savage, Ice Prince, and Olamide.
Davido (2012)
The following year after Wizkid won the most celebrated category of the awards show, Davido stood head over shoulders when compared with the other nominees including Praiz, Eva, and Chuddy K.
Sean Tizzle (2013)
Sean Tizzle’s pop dominance came through on the night of glitter, as his singles Sho lee, Kilogbe, and many others overcame the brilliance of Burna Boy, Phyno, Seyi Shay and Dammy Krane.
Patoranking (2014)
Patoranking was brilliant in the year under review with Alubarika, Girlie Oh and other singles propelling him to the crown. He came out tops in a strong year which had Orezi, Yemi Alade, Skales, and Runtown.
Reekado Banks (2015)
A controversial year, the Mavin Records singer was crowned amidst stiff competition from YBNL’s rapper Lil Kesh. Others who failed to win include Korede Bello, Cynthia Morgan, and Kiss Daniel.
Mr Eazi (2016)
There’s a possibility that Mr Eazi would have had stronger competition for his Next Rated run, had Tekno not rescinded his nomination. The remaining trio of contenders —Ycee, Humblesmith and Aramide had had breakout years as well and have continued to press on with their respective careers, but there’s no denying that Mr Eazi was a dominant force in a fairytale year that saw him greatly impact all of afropop.
Mayorkun (2018)
Similar to his label boss (Davido) in 2012, there was really no getting in Mayorkun’s way when he confidently and comfortably won the Next Rated award( in 2018.
Rema (2019)
Sometimes, you just know you’re witnessing a special artist right from the moment they appear. Immediately Rema dropped his debut eponymous EP, it was undeniable that he is as special as they portrayed him. The diversity and quality of his two subsequent EPs, Freestyle EP and Bad Commando, cemented that idea and it was more than enough for the Benin-born artiste to race his way to the Next Rated award of the last Headies.
