“My song created International Awards category for Afrobeats” – Rema

Nigerian singer, Divine Ikubor professionally known as Rema has revealed that his songs created an Afrobeat category in the international space.

During a recent interview with “The Breakfast Club,” the “Calm Down” crooner revealed that his song created an Afrobeat category as far as the international space is concerned.

Rema clarified that he doesn’t seek to be seen as the sole savior of Afrobeats but rather wants to acknowledge his role 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”.