Entertainment Deputy Editor
Pius Imafidon
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Rema has etched his name in the history books as the first African artist to earn a spot on the prestigious 2025 TIME100 Next list — a global recognition celebrating the most influential emerging figures shaping the future.
The annual list, published by TIME, spotlights innovators, leaders, artists, and trailblazers from around the world. Rema’s inclusion signals the growing power of African music on the global stage and cements his place as one of the genre’s most dominant voices.
His profile for the issue was written by Grammy-winning legend Angélique Kidjo, who praised the 24-year-old’s groundbreaking achievements and his ability to push Afrobeats to new heights.
“With the global explosion of African music, I wanted to highlight a sound that reflects its roots and originality,” Kidjo wrote. “Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ is a masterpiece — fresh, virtuosic, and deeply African. His success shows that Afrobeats is not just a trend but a cultural force shaping the world.”
Rema’s meteoric rise has been marked by record-breaking streaming numbers, sold-out stadium performances, and a Grammy nomination for his latest album. His hit single “Calm Down” became one of the most-streamed African songs in history, crossing the billion-stream threshold twice.
This milestone marks not only a personal triumph for Rema but also a broader win for African artists making their mark internationally. With his inclusion in the 2025 TIME100 Next list, the Benin-born star stands as a symbol of Afrobeats’ unstoppable global influence.
