Nigerian music star Divine Ikubor, known professionally as Rema, has paid heartfelt tribute to Afrobeats legend D’banj for his foundational impact on the genre’s international rise—especially in the United Kingdom.
He commended D’banj’s groundbreaking 2012 single “Oliver Twist,” which became the first Nigerian song to break into the top 10 of the UK Official Singles Chart, a feat that set the tone for other Afrobeats tracks to achieve similar success.
During his sold-out performance at the O2 Arena in London on Sunday, Rema invited D’banj on stage and emphasized how vital the veteran artist’s success was to the current global visibility of Nigerian music.
He expressed that D’banj’s UK crossover milestone paved the path for artists like himself to thrive in the international music scene.
“First of all, I want to appreciate you for opening the doors. We [the new generational artists] do not do it alone,” Rema stated emotionally.
“You were one of the first ones to bring Afrobeats to the UK. You and Don Jazzy held it down. Y’all opened 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.”
Rema’s gesture has been widely praised as a powerful acknowledgment of Afrobeats history and the importance of honoring pioneers who laid the groundwork for today’s global recognition.
Kindly Share:
Discover more from LMSINT STORE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
