If you never existed, I’d have never existed – Rema hails D’Banj

Award-winning singer Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema has paid tribute to Afrobeats icon D’banj for his pivotal role in elevating the genre on the global stage.

Rema acknowledged the ‘Oliver Twist’ hitmaker during a sold-out concert at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday.

Rema credited D’banj’s 2012 hit as the first Nigerian song to reach the top 10 on the UK Official Chart, for paving the way for Afrobeats’ success in the UK.

Inviting D’banj on stage, Rema acknowledged the veteran’s trailblazing efforts, stating that his own achievements as an Afrobeats artist in the UK would not have been possible without D’banj’s groundbreaking work.

He highlighted D’banj’s collaboration with Don Jazzy as instrumental in opening doors for the new generation of Afrobeats artists.

Rema expressed deep gratitude, emphasising the collective effort behind the genre’s global rise and his personal admiration for D’banj’s legacy.

“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.

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