Nigerian music star Divine Ikubor, known to millions as Rema, has paid glowing tribute to Afrobeats legend D’banj for helping to bring the genre into the international spotlight, especially in the United Kingdom.
The young star delivered the heartfelt praise on Sunday night during his sold-out concert at London’s O2 Arena. In a powerful moment that stirred the crowd, Rema brought D’banj on stage and publicly acknowledged his influence on the global rise of Afrobeats.
“You opened the door for us”
Rema told the cheering audience that his success, and that of many others in his generation, would not have been possible without D’banj’s early international breakthroughs.
“First of all, I want to appreciate you for opening the doors,” Rema said to D’banj as the crowd roared with applause. “We, the new generation of artists, did not do this alone. You were one of the first to bring Afrobeats to the UK. You and Don Jazzy held it down. You opened that door.”
Rema continued, “I appreciate you for life. I love you from the bottom of my heart. If you never existed, I would have never existed.”
A breakthrough that changed the game
D’banj made music history in 2012 when his infectious hit single Oliver Twist cracked the UK Official Singles Chart. The song reached the Top 10, becoming the first Nigerian Afrobeats track to achieve such a feat.
At the time, Afrobeats was just starting to gain attention beyond Africa. D’banj’s success marked a turning point. His crossover appeal not only brought Afrobeats to a wider audience but also opened the doors for future artists to break into the global music scene.
His UK chart success helped shift perceptions of African music abroad, laying the foundation for the international wave of Afrobeats we see today.
D’banj and Don Jazzy: Early pioneers
D’banj didn’t walk the path alone. Alongside producer Don Jazzy, the duo shaped the sound of early 2000s Nigerian pop music. Their work under the Mo’ Hits Records label helped define the early style of Afrobeats that would later gain popularity across the world.
Together, they crafted hit songs that resonate across Africa and eventually caught the attention of fans in Europe, the Americas, and beyond. When Oliver Twist hit the UK charts, it wasn’t just a win for D’banj, it was a win for the entire genre.
Rema’s rise and respect for legends
Rema, who has become one of the leading voices of the new generation of Afrobeats stars, has often spoken about the importance of honouring those who came before him.
His music blends traditional Afrobeats with modern global sounds, and he has played a key role in pushing the genre forward. Yet on Sunday night, he made it clear that none of this would be possible without the early efforts of artists like D’banj.
By inviting D’banj to share the stage at the O2 Arena, a venue that represents the peak of success for many global artists, Rema symbolically passed the torch while also paying homage to the past.
Afrobeats: From lagos to the world
The journey of Afrobeats from Lagos street corners to global stages is a story of persistence, creativity, and unity. Artists like D’banj took the first bold steps. Today, stars like Rema continue to walk the path they cleared.
With each hit song and every sold-out concert, Afrobeats cements its place on the world stage. And as Sunday’s moment at the O2 Arena showed, the new generation hasn’t forgotten who helped build the foundation.
Rema’s tribute was not just a personal thank-you. It was a reminder that behind every success story is a history of sacrifices and firsts, made by those brave enough to dream big when no one was watching.
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