Nigerian singer Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has publicly acknowledged the impact of Afrobeats veteran D’banj on the global rise of the genre, particularly in the United Kingdom.
At his sold-out show at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday, Rema invited D’banj on stage and delivered an emotional tribute, crediting the music legend for opening doors for younger artists in the Afrobeats scene.
Back in 2012, D’banj achieved a major milestone when his hit single Oliver Twist became the first Nigerian song to reach the top 10 on the UK Official Chart.
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That achievement marked a turning point for the genre’s recognition outside Africa, laying the groundwork for the international success of Afrobeats acts that followed.
Speaking to D’banj in front of a cheering crowd, Rema expressed deep appreciation for his contributions to the industry.
“First of all, I want to appreciate you for opening the doors. We [the new generational artists] do not do it alone.
“You were one of the first ones to bring Afrobeats to the UK. You and Don Jazzy held it down. Y’all open that door.
“I appreciate you for life. I love you from the bottom of my heart. If you never existed, I would have never existed.”
The heartfelt gesture has sparked praise across social media, with fans applauding Rema’s humility and the recognition of D’banj’s trailblazing influence on the genre’s global breakthrough.
