Headies opens entries for 18th awards

The Headies has opened submissions for its 18th edition, with the awards ceremony scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada, on October 25, 2026.

The event coincides with the awards’ 20th anniversary, having been launched in 2006 as the Hip Hop World Awards to recognise excellence in Nigerian and African music. The upcoming edition will be the third time the Headies is being held outside Nigeria.

Organisers said only songs, EPs, albums and music videos released between August 1, 2024, and April 30, 2026, will be eligible for nomination.

Artists, record labels, producers and other music industry stakeholders are invited to submit entries through the official Headies website. The organisers added that submission guidelines, award categories and eligibility criteria are available on the platform.

The submission window closes on Friday, July 31, 2026. For updates, interested participants can visit the official Headies website or follow the awards’ social media platforms.