Wizkid and Davido Shine at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards, Bringing Home Major Wins
Afrobeats is no longer just crossing borders—it’s claiming its spot on the global stage, and Nigerian artists are leading the charge. The 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards made it clear once again that African talent is making waves worldwide. The prestigious event, held annually to honor excellence in film, television, music, and literature, saw Nigerian superstars Wizkid and Davido taking home well-deserved honors.
Wizkid took home the Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) award for his hit song “Piece of My Heart,” a collaboration with Brent Faiyaz. The track is from his latest album, "Morayo," his sixth studio release, which holds deep personal significance. The album, named after the Yoruba phrase meaning "I See Joy," is a tribute to his late mother, Jane Dolapo Balogun, who passed away last year. Through "Morayo," Wizkid celebrates life, love, and the cherished memory of his mother.
Meanwhile, Davido won the Outstanding International Song award for his collaboration with Chris Brown, “Hmmm.” The two artists have previously worked together on tracks like “Blow My Mind” and “Sensational,” and their continued partnership is a testament to the global reach of their music.
The NAACP Image Awards celebrated a wide range of talent across various categories, with notable wins including:
- Outstanding Children’s Program: “Gracie’s Corner” (YouTube TV)
- Outstanding Male Artist: Chris Brown
- Outstanding Female Artist: Beyoncé
- Outstanding International Song: “Hmmm” – Chris Brown feat. Davido
- Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary): Wizkid feat. Brent Faiyaz – “Piece of My Heart”
These wins are further proof of Afrobeats' growing influence in the music industry and the global spotlight on Nigerian talent. With artists like Wizkid and Davido leading the charge, the world continues to embrace and celebrate African music on the biggest stages.
See the full list of winners below:
Outstanding Children’s Program
- “Gracie’s Corner” (YouTube TV)
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited Series)
- Leah Sava Jeffries – “Percy Jackson and the Olympics” (Disney+)
Outstanding Animated Series
- “Gracie’s Corner” (YouTube TV)
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)
- Cree Summer – “Rugrats” (Nickelodeon)
Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
- “One of Us Knows: A Thriller” – Alyssa Cole (William Morrow – HarperCollins Publishers)
Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction
- “Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest” – Fawn Weaver (Melcher Media Inc.)
Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
- Sarai Johnson – “Grown Women” (Harper – HarperCollins Publishers)
Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography
- “Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America” – Joy-Ann Reid (Mariner Books – HarperCollins Publishers)
Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
- “Wash Day: Passing on the Legacy, Rituals, and Love of Natural Hair” – Tomesha Faxio (Clarkson Potter – Crown Publishing Group)
Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
- “This Is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets” – Kwame Alexander (Little, Brown and Company – Hachette Book Group)
Outstanding Literary Work – Children
- “You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!): A Lil TJ Book” – Taraji P. Henson, Paul Kellam (Zonderkidz – HarperCollins Publishers)
Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
- “Brushed Between Cultures: A YA Coming of Age Novel Set in Brooklyn, New York” – Samarra St. Hilaire (Self-Published)
Outstanding Literary Work – Graphic Novel
- “Punk Rock Karaoke” – Bianca Xunise
Outstanding Variety (Series or Special)
- “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was” (Netflix)
Outstanding Guest Performance
- Marlon Wayans – “Bel-Air” (Peacock)
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
- Crystal Jenkins – “No Good Deed – Letters of Intent” Netflix)
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
- Ben Watkins – Cross “Hero Complex” (Prime Video)
Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special
- Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Thembi L. Banks – “Young. Wild. Free.” (BET+)
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)
- Ayo Edebiri – “The Bear” (FX/Hulu)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special, Movie)
- Taraji P. Henson – “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special, Movie)
- Samuel L. Jackson – “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)
Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special
- Tina Mabry – “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” (Hulu)
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
- Tiffany Johnson – “How to Die Alone – ‘Trust No One’” (Hulu)
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series
- Rapman – “Supacell – ‘Supacell’” (Netflix)
Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)
- “The Reidout” (MSNBC)
Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
- Keke Palmer – “Password” (NBC)
Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition Services/Game Show
- “Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC)
Outstanding ShortForm Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction/Documentary
- “The Prince of Death Row Records” (YouTube TV)
Outstanding Short Form Documentary (Film)
- “How to Sue the Klan”
Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)
- “Superman Doesn’t Steal”
Outstanding Short Form (Animated)
- “Peanut Headz: Black History Toonz “Jackie Robinson” (Exhibit Treal Studios)
Outstanding Podcast – Lifestyle/Self-Help
- “We Don’t Always Agree with Ryan & Sterling” (ABF Creative & Indian Meadows Production)
Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Motion Picture)
- “Wicked” – Paul Tazewell (Universal Pictures)
Outstanding Hair Styling (Television or Motion Picture)
- “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” – Lawrence Davis (Peacock)
Outstanding Make-up (Television or Motion Picture)
- “Shirley” – Debi Young (Netflix)
Outstanding Stunt Ensemble
- “Rebel Ridge” – Keith Woulard, Nico Woulard (Netflix)
Outstanding International Motion Picture
- “Emilia Pérez” (Netflix)
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture)
- Blue Ivy Carter – “Mufasa: The Lion King” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture)
Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)
- Dawn Porter – “Luther: Never Too Much” (Sony Music Entertainment/Sony Music Publishing/CNN Films)
Outstanding Cinematography in a Motion Picture
- Jomo Fray – “Nickel Boys” (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
- Malcolm Washington – “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture
- Ebony Obsidian – “The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix)
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
- “The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix)
Outstanding New Artist
- Doechii (Capitol Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)
Outstanding Male Artist
- Chris Brown (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
Outstanding Female Artist
- Beyoncé (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment LLC)
Outstanding International Song
- “Hmmm” – Chris Brown feat. Davido (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
Outstanding Jazz Album
- “Portrait” – Samara Joy (Verve Records)
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song
- “Working For Me” – Tamela Mann (Tillymann Music Group)
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album
- “Live Breathe Fight” – Tamela Mann (Tillymann Music Group)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)
- Adam Blackstone & Fantasia – “Summertime” (BASSic Black Entertainment Records/Anderson Music Group/EMPIRE)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)
- Wizkid feat. Brent Faiyaz – “Piece of My Heart” (RCA Records/Sony Music International/Starboy Entertainment)
Outstanding Original Score for Television/Film
- “Star Wars: The Acolyte (Original Soundtrack)” (Walt Disney Records)
Outstanding Song – Hip-Hop/Rap Song
- “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar (pgLang, under exclusive license to Interscope Records)
Outstanding Album
- “Cowboy Carter” – Beyoncé (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment LLC)
Outstanding Podcast – Limited Series/Short Form
- “Stranded” (Broadway Video and Audible)
Outstanding Podcast – News and Information
- “Native Land Pod” (iHeartPodcasts, Reasoned Choice Media)