The 17th Headies Awards ceremony, held on April 27, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, was marked by a dramatic moment when Odumodublvck, the winner of the Next Rated award, refused to leave the stage after his microphone was muted. The rapper, known for his rising talent in the music scene, had mounted the stage with his mother and over 11 individuals who stood by him.
*The Incident*
During his acceptance speech, Odumodublvck's microphone was cut off due to time constraints, and he was asked to leave the stage. However, he defied the organizers and remained on stage, refusing to leave until his microphone connection was restored. Eventually, the organizers relented, allowing him to finish his speech.
*Odumodublvck's Speech*
In his emotional speech, Odumodublvck expressed his gratitude to his mother and credited his faith for his success. He said, "Against all odds, I have pushed against so many barriers like this. Couple of years back, there were so many feelings we could not express through our music. The world clap us down; 'you can't be this,' or 'you can't speak like,' 'you can't do this,' 'you can't release music in this way.' Me standing here today is proof that all those things are fallacies. It would only have been possible through my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, who has been there for me through thick and thin. Tonight, God has shown that God reigns".
*The Next Rated Award*
Odumodublvck's win in the Next Rated category was a highlight of the ceremony, beating tough competition from Shallipopi and Nasboi. The award included a car, following his earlier Rookie of the Year win in 2024. The rapper's victory is a major milestone for his career, and his emotional speech touched the hearts of many in attendance ¹ ² ³.
*The 17th Headies Awards*
The Headies Awards ceremony, themed "Back to Base," celebrated African music excellence and featured 31 categories, including Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year, and Recording of the Year. Other notable winners included ³:
- *Artiste of the Year*: Davido
- *Afrobeats Album of the Year*: Rema for his album "HEIS"
- *Best Vocal Performance (Female)*: Liya
- *Best Vocal Performance (Male)*: Lojay
- *Rookie of the Year*: Zerry DL
- *Humanitarian Award*: Temitola Adekunle Johnson and Michelle Mukoro (King Mitchy)
The ceremony marked a significant return to Nigeria after a two-year hiatus, showcasing the richness and diversity of African music. The event drew an array of star-studded attendees, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State ³.