SINGER Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, praised veteran Afrobeat artist D’banj during his concert at the O2 Arena, crediting him for his significant role in elevating the genre’s global prominence, particularly in the United Kingdom (UK).
Rema acknowledged D’banj as one of the pioneers who brought the Afrobeat sound to the UK, stating that he paved the way for the next generation of artists. D’banj’s 2012 hit song “Oliver Twist” became the first Nigerian track to reach the top 10 on the UK official chart, setting the stage for other Afrobeat songs to follow.
These remarks were made during Rema’s sold-out concert at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday, where D’banj made a special appearance. Rema also expressed his gratitude to veteran producer and Mavin Records boss Don Jazzy, crediting both D’banj and Don Jazzy for opening doors for Afrobeat artists in the UK.