“My song created International Awards category for Afrobeats” – Rema
Nigerian singer Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has shared that his music played a significant role in establishing an Afrobeat category on the global stage.
In a recent interview with “The Breakfast Club,” the “Calm Down” hitmaker explained that his song helped create recognition for Afrobeat internationally.
However, Rema emphasized that he doesn’t view himself as the sole savior of Afrobeats but simply wants to acknowledge the part he has played in the genre’s growth.
“I don’t want to feel like an Afrobeats Messiah. Sometimes I can’t wait for the OGs to say it but since no one is saying it, I might have to say it myself,” he said.
“Respect to the OGs but yeah, I am one of the Big 4… Something as little as a major award shows creating an Afrobeats category because the success of my song has already opened gates.”
Rema also opened up on the inspiration behind his album HEIS.
the singer, who achieved a milestone with Afrobeats’ first 1 billion Spotify streams, stated that he sought to create something distinct from the prevailing Nigerian mainstream pop music.
Rema expressed his desire to defy expectations and challenge conventional norms.
He said:
“I like the way I moved on to my new project. I don’t like to move the way people expect. I don’t like to move with the rules”.
