Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema recently showed deep respect for music legend D’banj during his concert in London. He thanked D’banj for helping make Afrobeats popular worldwide, especially in the UK.

D’banj’s 2012 hit song, ‘Oliver Twist,’ made history. It was the first Nigerian song to reach the UK’s official top 10 chart. This success opened doors for many Afrobeats artists after him.

D’banj

At his sold-out show at London’s O2 Arena, Rema invited D’banj on stage to honor his achievements. He said that new Afrobeats artists owe a lot to veterans like D’banj and Don Jazzy, who paved the way internationally.

“First of all, I want to appreciate you for opening the doors. We [the new generational artists] do not do it alone. You were one of the first ones to bring Afrobeats to the UK. You and Don Jazzy held it down. Y’all open that door,” Rema said sincerely.

He added, “I appreciate you for life. I love you from the bottom of my heart. If you never existed, I would have never existed.”

This moment shows how early Afrobeats stars continue to inspire younger artists. D’banj’s success helped build a foundation for stars like Rema to reach fans worldwide.

Afrobeats has grown fast. Nigerian artists now enjoy global fame and chart success. Rema’s words show the strong bond between the old and new generations of Afrobeats artists.

Moments like this remind us of the pioneers who helped Afrobeats shine on the global stage.

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