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---- June 9, 2025 2:09 PM 1 min read
Nigerian music star Rema has paid glowing tribute to Afrobeats icon D’banj for his trailblazing role in taking the genre to global heights, particularly in the United Kingdom.
During his sold-out concert at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday, Rema brought D’banj on stage and publicly acknowledged the veteran’s influence, crediting him with opening doors for the new wave of Afrobeats artists.
“First of all, I want to appreciate you for opening the doors. We [the new generational artists] do not do it alone,” Rema said. “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.”
Rema also expressed deep personal gratitude, saying, “I appreciate you for life. I love you from the bottom of my heart. If you never existed, I would have never existed.”
D’banj’s 2012 hit single Oliver Twist was a breakthrough moment for Afrobeats in the UK, becoming the first Nigerian song to crack the top 10 of the UK Official Singles Chart. The track’s success helped lay the foundation for the genre’s continued rise in the global music scene.
Rema’s heartfelt tribute comes at a moment when Afrobeats is thriving internationally, with younger stars frequently acknowledging the groundwork laid by pioneers like D’banj.
English (US) ·