HEADIES 2012...NOMINEE LIST

Top Nigerian female singer, Omawumi Megbele and rapper, Jude 'M.I' Abaga have been announced as hosts for the 7th edition of The Headies; Nigeria's biggest music honours event.

Announcing this, executive producer Ayo Animashaun said the pair have been selected in line with the awards' tradition of picking talented and inspiring entertainers, to front an awards ceremony that parades some of the continent's biggest entertainers.

Omawumi, 30, came second on West Africa Idol, in 2007. Her success on that show provided a strong foundation for her career, and she hasn't looked back for a minute. With her debut single ‘In the music' released in 2008, she established herself as a talent to court, and a singer whose eyes are on the global stage.

The success of that single, won her the coveted 'Next Rated' prize at The Headies in 2009. The award came with a brand new KIA Optima. Omawumi has moved on to become a remarkably successful singer, actor, performer and philanthropist.

For M.I, he has risen from grass to grace, in just about half a decade. And, from a Jos-bred wannabe, who worked hard to find a niche in the hip hop community, M.I has now become the leading rapper and hip hop ambassador on the continent, with many medals to show for his achievements.

The Chocolate City rapper is a multiple winner at The Headies, with his prizes including Best Rap Album and Revelation of the year (both in 2009). He has won a total of 9 Headies, starting from his first surprise win in 2008.

Both acts have already been getting together, sharing ideas and fine-tuning concepts, along with The Headies producers, in anticipation of a great show this year.

The Headies 2012 will hold at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Saturday October 20. Now in its seventh year, The Headies (also known as Hip Hop World Awards) is Nigeria's premiere honours event for urbane music and hip hop culture.

Produced and presented to match some of the biggest awards shows from around the world, The Headies annually celebrate deserving Nigerian music stars, giving honour to whom it is due, and encouraging many to step up their game in order to enter The prestigious Headies alumni.

NOMINEE LIST

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Best album (solo or group) in year under review, that meets judges’ requirements of excellence (in every realms: songwriting, production, rendition and promotion) and acceptability (sales, popularity)

Click to continue with the list…

Everybody Loves Ice Prince – Ice Prince

The Invasion – P-Square

Superstar – Wizkid

Super C Season  – Naeto C

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

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

P-Square

Wizkid

Ice Prince

Naeto C

D’Banj

SONG OF THE YEAR

Most popular song from an album in year under review. Decided by voting

Chop My Money – P-Square ft. Akon & May-D

Dami Duro – Davido

Oliver Twist – D’Banj

Gaga Crazy - Chuddy K

Kukere – Iyanya

RECORDING OF THE YEAR

Best single recording (on-air only or released) by artiste or group in year under review. Originality and production very essential

Stupid Song - Bez

Private Trips – Wande Coal

Ara – Brymo

I Love You – Praiz

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

The individual responsible for producing the most acclaimed songs/album in the year under review. His CV for the year includes top-notch tracks and production credits no one can fault.

Cobhams – Stupid Song (Bez)

Tee-Y Mix  – Super C Season (Naeto C)

Shizzy – Dami Duro (Davido)

J Sleek – Private Trips (Wande Coal)

Jesse Jags  – E.L.I (Ice Prince)

BEST MUSIC VIDEO (AWARD GOES TO DIRECTOR)

Best conceptualised, best edited, best picture, best directed and most exciting video in year under review as voted by fans and decided by the jury.

5 & 6 (Naeto C) - Clarence Peters

Chop My Money Remix (P-Square) - Jude Okoye

Ara (Brymo) – Ajeh

Kosorombe (Dipp ft. Da Grin) – Mex

BEST R ‘N’ B SINGLE

Best R&B single in year under review (by single individual or group)

Private Trips – Wande Coal

Stupid Song – Bez

Nawti – Olu Maintain

Soundtrack – May D

Love Me (3X) – Tiwa Savage

BEST POP SINGLE

Best pop single in year under review (by single individual or group)

Dami Duro – Davido

Oliver Twist – D’Banj

Gaga Crazy – Chuddy K

Chop My Money – P-Square

Kukere - Iyanya

BEST R ‘N’ B/ POP ALBUM

Best R&B or pop album in year under review (by single individual or group)

Superstar – Wizkid

Super Sun – Bez

Versus – 9ice

The Invasion - P-Square

BEST RAP SINGLE

Best single released on-air recording of a rap song

Too Much Money – Iceberg Slim

Shutdown – Phyno

Angeli – Vector ft. 9ice

Oh My Gosh – Yung6ix

Young Erikina - Olamide

BEST RAP ALBUM

Best album by a rap artiste or group in year under review

E.L.I – Ice Prince

The Dreamer Project – Show Dem Camp

Rapsodi – Olamide

Super C Season  – Naeto C

LYRICIST ON THE ROLL

Rap Artist with best lyrical depth and performance on a single song or album

Vector – Angeli

Yung6ix  - Oh My Gosh

Iceberg Slim - Too Much Money

Phyno - Shutdown

Erigga - Mo Street Gan

BEST COLLABO

Best R&B, Pop or hip hop collaborative track (including cameos) in year under review

Chop My Money (Remix) – P-Square Ft. Akon & May-D

Angeli - Vector Ft. 9ice

Carolina - Sauce Kid Ft. Davido

Stupid Song - Bez Ft. Praiz

Orobo – Sound Sultan Ft. Excel & Flavour

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (MALE)

Single male artiste with most outstanding vocal performance on a single song or album

Wande Coal – Private trips

Banky W – Low Key

Praiz – I Love You

Brymo – Ara

Bez  – Stupid Song

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)

Single female act with most outstanding vocal performance on a single song or album

Tiwa Savage – Love Me, Love, Love Me

Chidinma  – Kedike

Ijeoma  – Oloomi

Waje - Na The Way

AFRICAN ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Non Nigerian category

Sarkodie (Ghana) – Azonto

Camp Mulla (Kenya) – Feel No Pain

D-Black (Ghana) – Get On The Dancefloor

Zahara (South Africa)  - Loliwe

BEST STREET HOP

The most popular street-hop single in year under review

Kako Bi Chicken – Reminisce

Gaga Crazy – Chuddy K

Akpako – Terry G

Roll – Rayce

Mo Street Gan – Erigga

NEXT RATED

Most promising upcoming officially unreleased act in the year under review

Davido

Eva (Alordia)

Praiz

Chuddy K

HIP HOP WORLD REVELATION OF THE YEAR

Best New artiste in the year under review

Wizkid

Ice Prince

Bez

Timi Dakolo

Olamide

HEADIES HALL OF FAME

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

Femi Kuti