Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema has declared himself one of the genre’s greatest, emphasizing that his confidence stems from hard work. In a Rolling Stone interview, he clarified his stance on Nigeria’s top artists and stressed the importance of unity in Afrobeats while celebrating his global success.
Nigerian music star Rema has reaffirmed his position as one of Afrobeats' leading figures, stating that his confidence stems from dedication and hard work. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the Calm Down singer addressed previous comments about Nigeria’s top four artists, clarifying that his statement was not meant to undermine others.
Rema, 24, emphasized that self-recognition is not arrogance but a form of motivation. He referenced Kendrick Lamar’s bold declarations in hip-hop but distinguished himself by advocating for unity in Afrobeats rather than rivalry. According to him, acknowledging greatness does not mean dismissing others but recognizing one's contribution to the genre.
Signed to Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records, Rema has been a dominant force since his debut in 2019. His global smash hit Calm Down, featuring Selena Gomez, won the first-ever Best Afrobeats category at the 2023 MTV VMAs. Spotify also recognized him as one of the most-streamed African artists in 2024.
His latest album, HeIs, set a new record for the highest first-week streams on Spotify Nigeria in 2024, further cementing his influence. With his growing impact, Rema continues to push Afrobeats to new heights while encouraging unity within the genre.
