In a groundbreaking year marked by unparalleled international success for an African artist, Nigerian sensation Rema captivated audiences by selling out the iconic O2 Arena. This remarkable feat solidified his place among the elite Nigerian superstars who have graced this prestigious stage, elevating the global standing of Nigerian music.
November 14, 2023, will forever be etched in Rema’s career as the day he made his grand entrance onto the O2 Arena stage. Having first gained prominence in the Nigerian mainstream in 2019 with his self-titled EP and the subsequent ‘Bad Commando’ EP, Rema’s distinctive talent pushed the creative boundaries of Afrobeats, propelling him to the illustrious O2 Arena.
In the momentous sold-out concert titled ‘RAVAGE UPRISING,’ streamed by over 40,000 viewers on YouTube, Rema delivered a mesmerizing performance of his hit songs, fueled by his dynamic stage presence.
The 23-year-old superstar made a grand entrance riding a horse adorned in his brand’s signature colors, red and black. Cloaked in a flowing black cape and sporting a mask inspired by the iconic mask of Idia, the legendary Benin Queen, Rema carried his cultural heritage onto the stage, presenting himself as a supreme figure armed with mighty talent poised to conquer all.
Accompanied by a live band, Rema kicked off the concert with a rendition of the electrifying track ‘DND’ from his latest EP ‘RAVAGE.’ The high-energy performance set the tone for the night, maintaining its fervor for over two thrilling hours.
Despite minor technical glitches, Rema commanded the stage, interacting with the enthusiastic audience of 20,000 who came to witness his electrifying show.
Transitioning to his R&B-infused hits ‘Dirty’ and ‘Ginger,’ Rema continued to captivate the crowd, culminating in a performance of ‘Lady’ that left the audience infected with his infectious energy.
In the second segment, Rema emerged on the back of a bat with glowing red eyes, adorned in futuristic warrior regalia. He treated fans to a Trap version of his catalog, showcasing early releases from the ‘Rema EP’ and ‘Bad Commando’ EP. His Trap-leaning records like ‘Hov,’ ‘Are You There,’ ‘Addicted,’ and his verse from Jae5’s ‘Dimension’ dazzled the audience.
For the third and final round, Rema delved into his repertoire of hit songs, opening with ‘Troublemaker’ and ‘Holiday.’ He brought out the Mavin Records crew for a performance of ‘Won Da Mo,’ and fellow artists Crayon and Ayra Starr treated the audience to their hit collaboration ‘Ngozi,’ with Ayra delivering a stunning rendition of her single ‘Rush.’
Rema recreated the energetic atmosphere of his ‘Calm Down’ freestyle, engaging the audience with back-to-back hits like ‘Woman,’ ‘Booty Bounce,’ and ‘Charm.’
The concert concluded on a high note with Rema’s rendition of his global hit single ‘Calm Down,’ echoing through the filled O2 Arena as the audience sang along.
Despite minor glitches, Rema’s O2 Arena concert was a defining moment for the 23-year-old superstar, placing him in the esteemed company of Nigerian music icons like Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Asake, who have all achieved the feat of selling out the O2 Arena.
Rema’s O2 Arena triumph solidifies his international superstar status as the Afrobeats Prince, poised to elevate Nigerian music to new heights.
