Nigerian music star Rema has given major props to Afrobeats icon D’banj, acknowledging his groundbreaking role in spreading the genre to the global stage—especially the United Kingdom.
During his sold-out concert at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday, Rema brought D’banj on stage and delivered a heartfelt tribute, crediting the veteran for helping pave the way for today’s generation of Afrobeats stars.
“First of all, I want to appreciate you for opening the doors. We [the new generational artists] do not do it alone.”
Rema highlighted the impact of D’banj’s 2012 global smash “Oliver Twist,” which made history as the first Nigerian song to break into the UK Official Singles Chart top 10—a move that helped legitimize and elevate the Afrobeats sound on the international scene.
“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 added.
The emotional tribute was a powerful moment of unity between two generations of Nigerian artists, showing how the foundations laid by pioneers like D’banj have helped younger stars like Rema thrive on the global stage.
