Rema Salutes D’banj for Trailblazing Afrobeats’ Rise in the UK

Nigerian music sensation Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has paid heartfelt tribute to Afrobeats legend D’banj for his trailblazing role in taking the genre to the global stage—particularly the United Kingdom.

During his electrifying, sold-out concert at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday, Rema brought D’banj on stage and acknowledged the profound impact the veteran artist had on Afrobeats’ international breakthrough.

Highlighting D’banj’s landmark 2012 hit single Oliver Twist, which made history as the first Nigerian track to break into the top 10 of the UK Official Chart, Rema noted that this achievement helped clear the path for the current generation of Afrobeats stars flourishing abroad.

“First of all, I want to appreciate you for opening the doors. We [the new generation of artists] did not do it alone,” Rema said.

“You were one of the first to bring Afrobeats to the UK. You and Don Jazzy held it down. You 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’s tribute underscores D’banj’s enduring legacy and the foundational role he played in turning Afrobeats into a global cultural force.