Rema Pays Emotional Tribute to D’banj for Pioneering Afrobeats Global Breakthrough
At his electrifying O2 Arena concert, Rema brought out D’banj and paid emotional tribute.
He hailed D’banj’s 2012 hit “Oliver Twist” as a game-changer that opened doors for new artists.
Nigerian music sensation, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has expressed heartfelt appreciation to Afrobeats icon, D’banj, for his groundbreaking role in taking the genre to international heights, particularly in the United Kingdom.
Rema brought D’banj on stage during his thrilling sold-out show at London’s O2 Arena, taking a moment to acknowledge the legend’s pivotal role in putting Afrobeats on the global map. He emphasized that D’banj’s international breakthrough helped pave the way for younger artists like himself.
Rema highlighted the significance of D’banj’s 2012 chart-topping hit, Oliver Twist, which made history as the first Nigerian track to break into the UK Official Chart’s Top 10. According to Rema, that milestone not only put Afrobeats on the global map but also opened doors for future generations of Nigerian musicians.
“First of all, I want to appreciate you for opening the doors,” Rema said in front of a cheering crowd. “We, the new generation, did not do this alone. You were one of the first artists to take Afrobeats to the UK. You and Don Jazzy held it down and opened that door.”
He went on to express deep personal gratitude, saying, “I appreciate you for life. I love you from the bottom of my heart. If you never existed, I would have never existed.”
Rema’s heartfelt tribute resonated deeply with fans, underscoring D’banj’s pioneering achievements and the lasting influence of his global breakthrough on the Afrobeats movement.
