Rema
Nigerian music is going farther than a rocket could go into the space. The Nigerian entertainment industry as a whole is really making Nigerians proud. The nation may be having difficult times but the arrays of talent in the country are flying high the country’s green and white flag and thereby making our rich culture to matter all over the world.
Many Nigerian artistes have achieved great international success in their musical career this year. Songstress Tiwa Savage earlier this year signed an international record deal with Universal Music Group. A number of other Nigerian musicians were also included in Beyonce’s Lion King album. That has Starboy’s Wizkid making waves in a collaboration with the pop queen titled ‘Brown Skin Girl’. Wizkid’s success also included hitting 8 million monthly streams on Spotify.
DMW boss, Davido has had international collaborations with the likes of Chris Brown and the rapper 50 Cent. Recently, he performed at the world’s most famous music arena, Madison Square Garden. Tekno is another artist waving the Nigerian flag. He was featured in the Lion King album and also became an international producer when he worked on America’s Swae Lee and Canada’s Drake collaboration song titled ‘Won’t Be Late’.
Burna Boy with his ‘African Giant’ album has also taken Afro-beat to the world. The ‘On The Low’ crooner has had massive international recognition this year as he also claimed the prestigious BET award for the Best International act. Burna Boy was also recently endorsed by music legend, Elton John. If you think it will end there, you are definitely wrong as rave of the moment, Rema’s Afro beat song was listed in former US President Barack Obama’s 2019 Summer Playlist.
Rema is the next big thing in the Nigerian music industry. It is therefore a huge recognition for Nigeria and the Mavins record’s signee to be mentioned by President Obama. The former President through his official twitter account @BarackObama shared the playlist the Obamas would be jamming for the summer of 2019.
It has been a custom for the charming President to release his playlist even when he was in the White House. This time, he of course had some help from the former first lady as he tweeted “With summer winding down, here’s a sampling of what Michelle and I have been listening to – some new, some old, some fast, some slow. Hope you enjoy”.
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Obama recognized the Nigerian Afro beat created by Fela-Ankulapo-Kuti by selecting the talented Rema on the #42 spot on his 44 playlist for the summer. Rema’s ‘Iron Man’ made the pick alongside music from top musicians.
Top on the list included ‘Too Good’ by Drake and Rihanna. There’s also a top spot for Beyonce’s ‘Mood 4 Eva’ featuring Jay-Z and Childish Gambino. The aforementioned track was featured on Beyonce’s The Lion King: The Gift album, which released this year and also had some Nigerian imprint on the project.
There have been viral reactions since the playlist was shared. Some artistes on the list and music lovers around the world have had a say about it. Nigerians are not left out, as well as Rema himself and his boss Don Jazzy.
In his reply, Rema appreciated the Obamas through his official twitter account @heisrema. He tweeted “Thank you @BarackObama @MichelleObama Nigeria to the world #42’’. Mavin boss couldn’t hide his joy as he also tweeted “Ahh Obama is listening to Rema. Check out number 42’’.
Here are also some reactions by music lovers in Nigeria on the giant stride made by Rema and the Nigerian music industry:
Obama is a fun loving guy. He’s never shy to embrace Africa. Kudos to Rema.
Adegboyega
There’s no special thing about the song. Rema is probably more popular in the US, or given the flair African Americans now have for Afrobeat. Obama must have porobably heard the song somewhere and liked the beat/rhythm.
Charles
It’s so cool to have Rema on the list. I’m happy someone like Obama recognizes Rema’s music and appreciates it enough to play it. Rema is quite talented so he deserves it.
Sammy
Rema is really talented. I’m so happy for him. He has definitely make Nigeria proud. It is a case of Afrobeat to the world. We are getting there.
Lucy
‘Iron Man’ was Rema’s debut song after signing for Mavins Record. ‘Dumebi’ is another jam by the young Nigerian topping musical charts. His talents have made him to be tagged as ‘Pop Golden Child’ by American Magazine Fader. Here’s what you need to know about the fast rising talent.
Who is Rema?
Rema, whose real name is Divine Ikubor is a fast-rising Nigerian hip hop rapper, Afro beats singer, songwriter, stage performer, recording artist and model. The gifted, handsome, skillful, creative and talented singer was born in 2001 in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
He was born into a Christian family and attended local churches and schools where he was able to horn his skills. He completed both his primary and secondary education and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate and West African Senior School Certificate.
Rema created his own live band while in school and was able to groom other children while in church. He was later discovered by D’Prince, the immediate brother to Nigeria’s finest record label owner and record producer Don Jazzy. He is signed to Jonzing World Record which is an affiliate of Mavin Records owned by D’Prince and Don Jazzy respectively.
Rema has gone on to record several songs with the record label among which include ‘Iron man’ (debut song), ‘Corny’, ‘Spiderman’, ‘American Love’, ‘Dumebi’, ‘All is in order’ ft. Mavin crew, ‘Ogologomma’, and so on. Asides having his debut song included in Barack Obama’s summer playlist of 2019, he also had ‘Dumebi’ which is unarguably his biggest song till date topping the iTunes charts in Nigeria.
The future looks very bright for Nigeria in the music scene. Grammy is therefore not far from Nigerian musicians now. We are very proud of the Nigerians taking us global. Nigerians are undoubtedly talented; we are second to none in the whole wide world. Kudos to Rema and other Nigerians making us proud; this is a very good time for Nigerians.
Do well to share your thoughts with us on this topic in the comment section. Thanks for taking your time to read this piece.