According to Nigerian singer Divine Ikubor, better known by his stage name Rema, every Afrobeats musician to come out since 2019 has been adhering to the model he set.
During a recent interview on The Breakfast Club, he made this assertion and said that prominent figures in the music industry were demeaning his standing.
The “Ozeba” hitmaker further asserted that he started the practice of new musicians making their stage debuts with extended plays (EPs).
“When I came into the game [music industry], I brought a template. The way new artists come and dominate, mine was different. I started the EP trend. Every [new Afrobeats] artist since 2019 walked on that path like when you come out, you popped out with an EP,” Rema affirmed.
Rema stated that many people are reluctant to acknowledge his contributions to Afrobeats, so he feels the need to promote his own achievements.
“A lot of people would argue [my innovation in Afrobeats]. I don’t like to feel an Afrobeats Messiah.
“Sometimes, people don’t like young people applauding themselves. Sometimes, it’s not for you to say. Sometimes, it’s the truth but it’s just not for you to say.
“Sometimes I can’t wait for the OGs to say it but since no one is saying it, I might have to say it myself,” he added.
