Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Rema has added another milestone to his growing list of international achievements. The singer, whose real name is Divine Ikubor, has been named on the 2025 TIME100 Next list. This annual ranking celebrates rising stars across music, film, politics, sports, science, and activism. The announcement, made on Tuesday, instantly set social media buzzing as fans and industry leaders congratulated the 24-year-old.
Rema is the only African artist honored this year, making the recognition especially significant for both him and the Afrobeats movement. His profile was written by the legendary Beninese singer and Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo. In her tribute, she praised Rema’s record-breaking success, noting that his hit “Calm Down” has crossed the billion-stream mark twice. She added that Rema embodies the international success of African music and has helped push Afrobeats to the center of global pop culture.
Since breaking out in 2019 with his self-titled debut EP, Rema has remained one of Africa’s most exciting talents. His 2022 single “Calm Down,” particularly the remix with Selena Gomez, became a worldwide anthem. The track topped charts across Europe, America, and Asia while setting streaming records on Spotify and YouTube. It also entered the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Diamond certifications in multiple countries.
Joining him on this year’s TIME100 Next list are music stars like Teyana Taylor and rapper GloRilla, along with leaders in sports and technology. For Rema, the honor cements his position as not just Nigeria’s golden boy but also a true global artist. With fearless creativity and growing influence, he continues to inspire millions while carrying Afrobeats to the world stage.
