Rema hails D’banj as the OG who put Afrobeats on the map
Afrobeats singer, Rema
Nigerian Afrobeats singer, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has praised veteran Afrobeats singer, D’banj for his contribution to the growth of the genre’s global recognition, particularly in the UK.
D’banj’s top hit, ‘Oliver Twist’ of 2012 was the first Nigerian music to break the record and enter the top 10 on the UK official chart.
This record paved the way for other Afrobeats songs to make the chart.
In recognizing the singer’s contribution to the music genre, Rema brought the singer on stage at his sold-out concert held in O2 Arena, London on Sunday, where he told the veteran that his career wouldn’t have taken a leap in the UK without D’banj’s crossover success in the United Kingdom.
According to him D’banj was the forerunner for Afrobeats artists in the United Kingdom.
“First of all, I want to appreciate you for opening the doors. We (The new generational artists) do not do it alone,” he said.
Also praising him for opening the door, Rema said, “You were one of the first ones to bring Afrobeats to the UK. You and Don Jazzy held it down. Y’all open that door.”
He further stated that he would have never existed if D’banj never existed, expressing his gratitude and love to the veteran.
“I appreciate you for life. I love you from the bottom of my heart. If you never existed, I would have never existed,” he said.
