The Headies Award—Nigeria’s most significant music award—has been dishing out trophies since 2006, and the Album of the Year category has been a battleground of fantastic musical bodies of work. From Afrobeat bangers to soulful ballads, this award has recognised the best albums that have topped charts and shaped the Nigerian music landscape.
With the 17th edition happening this Sunday in Lagos, we’re looking back and ranking every album that’s ever taken home the coveted prize.
Here are the best Albums of the Year winners in the history of The Headies, ranked:
16. The Invasion – P-Square (2011)
Award-winning year: 2012
Genres: R&B, Afrobeats
By 2011, P-Square had already cemented their place as Afropop royalty. The Invasion was proof they were still hungry—at least before the infamous split.
The album mixes everything from R&B and reggae to highlife and hip-hop, and while it gave us hits like “Bunieya Enu,” “Chop My Money,” and “Beautiful Onyinye,” it remains one of their more forgettable projects.
If you like your pop loud, flashy, and uncomplicated, The Invasion delivers. But compared to their other albums, it doesn’t quite hit the same.
Headies fact: P-Square became the first act to win Album of the Year twice. Their first was in 2006 with Get Squared.
15. Street OT – Olamide (2014)
Award-winning year: 2015
Genres: HipHop, Afrobeats
Off the back of two strong albums—YBNL and Baddest Guy Ever Liveth—Olamide dropped Street OT, a project that doubled down on his Lagos street king persona.
Packed with energetic beats and heavy lingo, Street OT leans into Olamide’s signature mix of grit and mass appeal. While it attempts to throw a bone to the rap heads, the album is dominated by radio-friendly bangers like “Shakitibobo,” “Story for the Gods,” and “Lagos Boys.”
It’s a fun ride, but not his sharpest project.
Headies fact: This win made Olamide the first artist to win Album of the Year three times in a row.
14. Get Square – P-Square (2005)
Award-winning year: 2006
Genre: Contemporary Pop
P-Square’s sophomore album—and their breakout moment. Get Squared, released under their family-run Square Records, launched the duo into mainstream fame with hits like “Get Squared,” “Temptation,” and the ever-iconic “Bizzy Body.”
With its blend of love songs, dancefloor anthems, and early-2000s swagger, this album defined an era of Nigerian pop. It’s youthful, fun, and forever tied to Nigerian party culture.
Headies fact: Get Squared won Album of the Year at the very first Headies (then called the Hip-Hop World Awards) and bagged four other trophies that night.
13. YBNL – Olamide (2012)
Award-winning year: 2013
Genres: HipHop, Afrobeats
YBNL (short for Yahoo Boy No Laptop) was a cultural reset. With this album, Olamide solidified his place as a street king with crossover appeal—balancing raw street-hop with catchy hooks and radio-ready production.
This was also the project that launched YBNL Nation, his now-iconic record label. Bangers like “First of All,” “Voice of the Street,” and “Omo To Shan” made it a defining album for a generation of Lagos youth.
You can’t name top five Olamide albums and leave YBNL out. Full stop.
Headies fact: This was the first in Olamide’s three-year sweep of the Album of the Year category.
12. The Unstoppable International Edition – 2Baba (2010)
Award-winning year: 2011
Genre: R&B
This reissue of 2Face’s 2008 The Unstoppable gave the album a second life—and a much bigger impact. With tracks like “Implication” and “Only Me,” 2Baba delivered a mature, globally-minded sound while still keeping his signature Afro-R&B style intact.
The project marked a turning point in his career, cementing him as not just a local legend, but an international contender.
Headies fact: This edition of The Unstoppable won both Album of the Year and Best R&B/Pop Album at the 2011 Headies.
11. Moral Instruction – Falz (2018)
Award-winning year: 2019
Genres: Hip-Hop, Afrobeats
With Moral Instruction, Falz traded party anthems for powerful protest. The album blends Hip-Hop and Afrobeats to deliver biting social commentary on corruption, injustice, and Nigeria’s broken systems.
Songs like “This Is Nigeria,” “Talk,” and “Hypocrite” didn’t just make noise—they demanded change. It’s a bold, unflinching project that showed Falz isn’t afraid to use his voice for more than entertainment.
Headies fact: In 2019, Moral Instruction won Album of the Year, Best Rap Album, and Best Rap Single—a clean sweep for Falz.
10. Apollo – Fireboy DML (2020)
Award-winning year: 2018
Genres: Afrobeats
Following the success of Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps, Fireboy DML returned with Apollo—a more expansive and confident project. Songs like “New York City Girl,” “Eli,” and “Tattoo” showcased his ability to fuse emotion with melody, cementing his place as a leading voice in Afrobeats.
With Apollo, Fireboy proved his debut wasn’t a fluke and sparked conversations about a musical trifecta in the making.
Headies fact: Apollo earned Fireboy five awards in one night, making it his most successful run at The Headies so far.
9. Hitsville – Paul Play (2007)
Award-winning year: 2007
Genre: R&B
Hitsville is a masterclass in heartfelt songwriting and smooth R&B. With just nine tracks, Paul Play delivers timeless love songs like “Angel of My Life,” “Crying in the Rain,” and “Forever.” The album blends romantic melodies with subtle nods to traditional Nigerian sounds, showcasing his versatility as both a singer and producer.
This project cemented Paul Play Dairo’s status as a pioneer of modern Nigerian R&B.
Headies fact: Hitsville was the only R&B album nominated for Album of the Year at the 2007 Headies, standing out among hip-hop and pop-heavy contenders like Freestyle’s Free At Last and Weird MC’s After Da Storm.
8. Simisola – Simi (2017)
Award-winning year: 2018
Genres: Afrobeats
Simisola is a warm, heartfelt album that highlights Simi’s signature fusion of Afrobeats, R&B, and soul. With rich storytelling and relatable lyrics about love, identity, and growth, she effortlessly draws listeners into her world. The album includes standout tracks like “Joromi,” “Smile for Me,” and “Love Don’t Care.”
Arguably her best body of work to date, Simisola delivers that chill, girl-next-door charm with real emotional depth.
Headies fact: In addition to Album of the Year, Simi also won Best R&B Single and Best Recording of the Year at the 2018 Headies.
7. New Era – Kizz Daniel (2015)
Award-winning year: 2016
Genres: Afrobeats
With New Era, Kizz Daniel introduced his unique blend of smooth melodies and catchy hooks, mixing Afrobeats with elements of highlife and pop. From the infectious “Woju” to the laid-back vibe of “Laye,” the album established Kizz Daniel as a rising star in Nigerian music. It marked his official entry into the mainstream, filled with tracks that quickly became fan favorites.
If you’re looking to study a debut album that’s packed with hit after hit, New Era is a perfect example.
Headies fact: At just 22, Kizz Daniel became the youngest artist to win The Headies’ Album of the Year.
6. Baddest Guy Ever Liveth – Olamide (2013)
Award-winning year: 2014
Genres: HipHop, Afrobeats
Following the success of YBNL, Olamide solidified his position as one of Nigeria’s most influential hip-hop artists with Baddest Guy Ever Liveth. This album expanded his sound by blending Afrobeat, street-hop, rap, and a touch of Lagos swagger. Tracks like “Durosoke,” “Eni Duro,” and “Turn Up” became anthems, showcasing Olamide’s ability to transcend street music and make mainstream hits.
This album remains one of his best works and a defining moment in Nigerian music. Olamide proves he is a force to reckon with, both in the streets and on the charts.
Headies fact: Olamide won Best Rap Album and Album of the Year in the same year this year.
5. Made In Lagos (Deluxe Edition) – Wizkid (2021)
Award-winning year: 2022
Genres: Afrobeats, R&B
Made In Lagos initially dropped in 2020, propelling Wizkid to global stardom. Blending Afrobeat with R&B, reggae, and pop, the album captured Wizkid’s versatility and cemented his place as an international icon. In 2021, the Deluxe Edition took things even further, adding fresh tracks and collaborations that highlighted his continued growth as an artist.
With hit songs like “Essence,” “Ginger,” and “Smile,” the Deluxe Edition introduced new bangers like “Steady” and “Bad to Me,” while featuring collaborations with Burna Boy, Skepta, and Justin Bieber. This version elevated Made In Lagos into one of Wizkid’s most successful projects.
Headies fact: With this win, Wizkid became the most decorated artist in The Headies’ history, claiming twenty Headies awards in total.
4. Mr. Money With the Vibe – Asake (2022)
Award-winning year: 2023
Genres: Afrobeats, Amapiano
Released in 2022, Mr. Money With the Vibe by Asake made a massive impact on Nigerian music. Following his breakout with hits like “Omo Ope” and “Sungba,” Asake’s debut album showcased his unique blend of Afrobeat, Amapiano, and street vibes, all set to infectious melodies and choruses that quickly became fan favorites. Tracks like “Organise,” “Terminator,” and “Peace Be Unto You” had listeners hooked from the very first listen.
This album is regarded as the biggest debut in Nigerian music history.
Headies fact: Asake also won The Headies’ Next Rated award in the same year.
3. Gongo Aso – 9ice (2008)
Award-winning year: 2009
Genre: Afrobeats
With Gongo Aso, his second album released in 2008, 9ice created one of his best works. This album wasn’t just a collection of songs—it delivered timeless records. The title track, “Gongo Aso,” became an instant anthem, and alongside it came hits like “Street Credibility,” “Party Rider,” “Wedding Day,” and “Photocopy.”
Gongo Aso is considered a benchmark in Nigerian music, especially for artists making songs in their native languages.
Headies fact: Gongo Aso is the first Album of the Year winner at The Headies with a main music producer—ID Cabasa.
2. ASA (Asha) – Asa (2007)
Award-winning year: 2008
Genre: Contemporary Pop
Remember Asa’s iconic tracks like “Bibanke,” “Jailer,” “Fire On the Mountain,” and “So Beautiful”? All these songs come from her debut album, ASA (pronounced “Asha”), which won Album of the Year at The Headies in 2008. What made ASA so special was its unique blend of universally appealing yet distinctly Nigerian sounds.
This album wasn’t just about entertainment; it was about connection and reflection. ASA is the type of music that lingers long after you’ve stopped listening—emotionally resonant and deeply reflective.
Headies fact: ASA is the first debut album to win the Album of the Year category at The Headies.
1. Mushin 2 Mo’Hits – Wande Coal (2009)
Award-winning year: 2010
Genre: Afrobeats
Wande Coal’s debut album, Mushin 2 Mo’Hits, produced by Don Jazzy and released under Mo’Hits Records in 2009, became a defining moment in Nigerian music. With hits like “Bumper to Bumper,” “You Bad,” “Who Born the Maga,” and “Ololufe,” Wande Coal brought both finesse and soul to the Mo’Hits label, showcasing his incredible vocal range.
What makes Mushin 2 Mo’Hits stand out is Wande’s ability to blend catchy hooks with deeply meaningful lyrics, making it the go-to album for both club anthems and personal moments. This album isn’t just a collection of tracks; it’s a template for an entire generation of Afrobeats artists.
Headies fact: Wande Coal also won Artist of the Year and Revelation of the Year awards the same night he took home Album of the Year.
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