Rema’s honour to Fela Kuti, Wizkid, and Davido among others in his VMA acceptance speech was a critical acknowledgement of the musical icons whose work has contributed to the evolution and growth of Afrobeats. Fela Kuti is regarded as the pioneer of the Afrobeats genre and his influence on the music industry in Nigeria and Africa at large cannot be overstated. Wizkid and Davido are two of the biggest Afrobeats artists who have taken the genre to the world stage and have helped to popularize the genre beyond the shores of Africa.
With “Calm Down” becoming the first Afrobeats song to surpass a billion streams on Spotify, Rema has become a global sensation and one of the leading voices in the Afrobeats genre. His recognition of the forerunners of the genre in his VMA acceptance speech demonstrates his respect and appreciation for the work of his predecessors.
“I am so happy… shoutout to the people who opened the doors for me. Big shoutout to Fela who started Afrobeats in the first place. 2Baba, Don Jazzy, D’Banj, D Prince, Runtown, Timaya, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido. And I want to give a huge shoutout to the new generation of Afrobeats. We are here to take it to the rest of the world.” Rema stated
Rema’s acknowledgement of the new generation of Afrobeats artists also highlights the growth and continued evolution of the genre. The likes of Wizkid, and Davido have paved the way for young and upcoming artists like Rema, who are shaping the future of Afrobeats with their unique sounds and styles.
Moreover, Rema’s acknowledgement of the “new generation of Afrobeats” highlights the continued growth and evolution of the genre, which has expanded beyond its Nigerian roots to become a truly pan-African and international phenomenon. With artists from across the continent, including Tems, Ayra Starr, and Fireboy DML, making waves in the global music scene, it is clear that Afrobeats has firmly cemented its place in the global music landscape.
Overall, Rema’s acknowledgement of Afrobeats pioneers and the current generation of artists during his VMA acceptance speech highlights the genre’s rich history, global impact, and promising future.
