Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Rema has made history as the only African artist featured on the prestigious 2025 TIME100 Next list, an annual recognition of the world’s most influential rising stars across industries.
The announcement marks a major milestone for the 23-year-old hitmaker, whose global breakout hit “Calm Down” has surpassed one billion streams twice, cementing his place in global pop culture and the streaming elite.
A Legacy of African Greatness
Rema’s profile in the TIME100 Next issue was written by Grammy-winning legend Angélique Kidjo, who praised the young star’s talent, authenticity, and impact.
“With the recent global explosion of African music, I needed to include some contemporary sounds. I fell in love with Rema’s ‘Calm Down’… It is rooted in Africa but also catchy and virtuosic. I love to sing it,” Kidjo wrote.
She also positioned Rema as a torchbearer of the African music legacy, following in the footsteps of Fela Kuti, Miriam Makeba, and Youssou N’Dour, who pioneered African sound on the global stage.
Rema’s Meteoric Rise
Since the release of his debut album Rave & Roses, which has now racked up over three billion Spotify streams, Rema has quickly become one of Afrobeats’ most recognized global exports.
His achievements include headlining stadium tours across continents, earning a Grammy nomination for his latest work, launching viral cultural moments like the ‘Kelebu’ dance challenge, where he awarded winners $10,000 and topping international charts, including the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart.
