24-year-old Afrobeats sensation, Rema, born Divine Ikubor, is standing by his claim that he’s one of the genre’s greatest artistes.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stones, Rema clarified that his confidence isn’t arrogance, but rather a reflection of his hard work and dedication to his craft.
Rema questioned why it’s a problem for him to declare himself one of the best, citing that it’s even humble to acknowledge the existence of other greats.
He referenced Kendrick Lamar’s famous diss line, emphasizing that his intentions are different – he advocates for the unity of Afrobeats, rather than seeking to tear others down.
Rema said “So on ‘Heis’, I was talking a lot of s**t. It is not cocky. It is like what stops you from saying you’re the best? You can say it and stand your ground. It is even humble to say four,” he said.
“I didn’t pull down the two, I didn’t pull down the three. I just see myself as one of the greats, and it’s a problem. I’m not saying oh f**k everybody. It is different from what Kendrick said: ‘It’s just big me’. I really vouch for the unity of Afrobeats.”
Rema’s rise to fame has been nothing short of exceptional. He was signed to D’Prince’s Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records, in 2019.
His hit song ‘Calm Down’, featuring Selena Gomez, won the first ‘Best Afrobeats’ category at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) in 2023.
With numerous accolades under his belt, including being recognized by Spotify as one of the most exported artistes in sub-Saharan Africa, Rema’s confidence is well-deserved.
His sophomore album ‘HeIs’ set the record for the biggest first-week streams on Spotify Nigeria in 2024, solidifying his position as a leading figure in Afrobeats.
