The complete list of winners

The show which held on Thursday, December 22, 2016 at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, had everyone at the edge of their sits.

After last year's debacle which had Olamide and Don Jazzy pitted against each other, there was a heightened sense of expectation and hype around the 'Next Rated', which has Tekno, Humblesmith, Mr Eazi , Ycee and the darkhorse, Aramide on it.

There are also other categories up for grabs, as everyone fancies their chances for the top honors.

Pulse will be on ground, to give you blow by blow account, the winners, and the controversies (when they do happen) to you.

And the winners are....

BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR

A non-voting category for the best single recording by an artiste or group in the year under review.

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

An individual responsible for producing the most acclaimed song or album in the year under review.

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

A voting category for the best conceptualist, best directed and most exciting video in the year under review. This award goes to the video director.

BEST R&B/POP ALBUM

A category for the best R&B/Pop Album in the year under review (by single individual or group).

BEST R&B SINGLE

A category for the best R&B single in the year under review (by a single individual or group).

BEST POP SINGLE

A category for the best pop single in year under review (by single individual or group)

BEST REGGAE/DANCEHALL SINGLE

A category for the best Reggae/Dancehall single in the year under review (by single individual or group).

BEST RAP ALBUM

A Non-Voting Category for the Best Album By A Rap Artiste Or Group In Year Under Review.

BEST COLLABO

A voting category for the best R&B, Pop or Hip-hop collaborative track (including cameos).

BEST RAP SINGLE

A voting category for a single (released on-air) recording of a rap.

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE(MALE)

A non-voting category for the single male artiste with the most outstanding vocal performance on a single song or album.

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)

A non-voting category for the single female artiste with most outstanding vocal performances on a single song or album.

NEXT RATED

This category is a voting category for the most promising upcoming act in the year under review.

HIP HOP WORLD REVELATION

A voting category for the best new artiste in the year under review.

LYRICIST ON THE ROLL

A non-voting category for the Rap Artiste with the best lyrical depth and performance on a single song or album.

BEST STREET-HOP ARTISTE

A voting category for the artiste whose songs are inspired by the streets. Such song should captain lingua, which may also be originated by the artiste and popular on the street.

BEST ‘ALTERNATIVE’ SONG

A voting category for the artiste whose songs reflect any form or style of music which falls outside the mainstream of recent or past popular musical trends.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

A voting category for the best album (solo or group) in year under review, that meets judges requirements of excellence (Songwriting, production, rendition and promotion) and acceptability (Sales and popularity).

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

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

SONG OF THE YEAR

A voting category for the most popular song in the year under review.

AFRICAN ARTISTE

A non-Nigerian award category for an individual African artiste or group with the most outstanding achievement, impact and infiltration into the Nigerian music scene in the year under review.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

1. MAYORKUN - WINNER2. DREMO3 TERRY APALA4. MZ KISS5. DICE AILES

Headies Hall of Fame - Laolu Akins

Special Recognition - Flavour