I wouldn’t have existed without you – Rema to D’banj

Nigerian music star, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has paid glowing tribute to Afrobeats legend D’banj for paving the way for the genre’s international success, especially in the United Kingdom.

During his sold-out concert at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday, Rema brought D’banj on stage and acknowledged the veteran’s pivotal role in taking Afrobeats global.

He specifically referenced D’banj’s 2012 hit “Oliver Twist,” which became the first Nigerian song to break into the UK Official Chart’s top 10.

Rema expressed deep gratitude to D’banj and his former collaborator Don Jazzy, crediting their early efforts for opening doors for younger Afrobeats artistes like himself.

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

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