Nigerian Afrobeats star, Rema, delivered a heartfelt moment during his recent concert at London’s O2 Arena as he publicly honoured music veteran, D’banj, for his groundbreaking contributions to the global rise of Afrobeats.
In front of a roaring crowd, Rema invited D’banj on stage, celebrating the iconic artist for paving the way for a new generation of Nigerian musicians. The Calm Down hitmaker acknowledged D’banj’s pivotal role in pushing Afrobeats beyond African shores, particularly to the UK audience.
Rema specifically referenced D’banj’s 2012 hit Oliver Twist, which made history as the first Nigerian song to crack the UK’s official top 10 chart, a landmark achievement that opened international doors for Afrobeats artists.
“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,” Rema told D’banj on stage, his voice filled with emotion.
He continued with a moving declaration of gratitude, saying, “I appreciate you for life. I love you from the bottom of my heart. If you never existed, I would have never existed.”
In a fitting gesture to cap the memorable moment, D’banj did the honours of presenting Rema with The O2’s commemorative plaque for headlining the prestigious arena for the second time in his career. This shows Rema’s growing influence on the global stage.
The crowd erupted in applause as the two stars embraced, marking a powerful generational moment for Nigerian music. The tribute was a touching reminder of D’banj’s lasting influence on the global Afrobeats movement and the enduring bond between the pioneers and the new wave of artists carrying the genre forward.
“If you never existed, I would have never existed.”
– Rema giving D’Banj his flowers at the O2 Arena 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/gi4FrS4anF
— OLAMIDE 🌸💖 (@Olamide0fficial) June 9, 2025
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