LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema says the genre will not grow if artistes only make songs that fans already like, as he defends his willingness to experiment with different sounds and evolve the genre.
Addressing fans during his concert over the weekend, the “Ozemba” hitmaker explained why he does not always make music based on what fans expect from him.
The singer said his priority is creating music he enjoys before asking listeners to embrace it.
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“I don’t care what you say about me. I don’t care if you like what I like. But I make music that I like before you like it,” he said.
Rema defended his willingness to experiment with different sounds, insisting that Afrobeats can only grow when artistes move beyond familiar expectations.
“If I stick to what you like, Afrobeats is not going to move forward. And I will say it one more time,” he added.
Moving forward, Rema boldly declared himself the “Prince of Afrobeats,” saying he sees himself as part of the generation responsible for pushing the genre into new territory.
“I am the f**king Prince of Afrobeats,” the award winning artist declared.
His comments come amid growing conversations online about Afrobeats artistes mixing the genre with other sounds in an effort to reach wider international audiences.
For Rema, musical experimentation is not simply a strategy for foreign recognition.
The singer has previously spoken about listening to music from different parts of the world, including Sudanese music, and using those influences in his own sound.
That approach has been visible throughout his career.
Rema was signed to Jonzing World in 2019 through an imprint arrangement with Mavin Global after his music caught the attention of Don Jazzy and D’Prince.
His early sound blended Afrobeats with trap and alternative influences, helping him stand out from the beginning.
Rema’s breakthrough came with hits such as Dumebi before his 2022 debut album, Rave & Roses, propelled him to global fame, especially after he featured Selena Gomez on Calm Down.
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The song surpassed one billion Spotify streams, became the first African-led track to enter Spotify’s Billions Club and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Rave & Roses later became the first African album to surpass three billion Spotify streams, while his 2024 album HEIS earned him his first Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album.
By July 2026, Rema had amassed more than six billion Spotify streams across his catalogue, according to ChartMasters.
Rema may be right to call himself the “Prince of Afrobeats” as the numbers show him not merely riding the wave of Afrobeats, but helping push the wave forward.
