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Nigerian Afrobeats sensation, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has been recognised as one of the world’s most influential rising stars after being featured in the 2025 TIME100 Next list.
The prestigious recognition celebrates emerging leaders across industries such as entertainment, politics, sports, philanthropy, science, and technology who are shaping the future of their fields.
Published on Tuesday, the 2025 edition of the list features notable names from around the globe, but Rema stands out as the only African artist honoured this year. His inclusion cements his place as one of the most important voices in contemporary music, carrying the torch for Afrobeats on the global stage.
Rema’s profile in TIME100 Next was written by multiple Grammy-winning singer Angélique Kidjo, who praised the young star for his remarkable achievements in a short span of time. “The young Nigerian superstar has accomplished so much: ‘Calm Down’ has joined the billion-streams club twice over,” Kidjo noted.
She went further to highlight Rema’s role in shaping global perceptions of African music. “Rema is the embodiment of the international success of Afrobeats. Thanks to artists like him, African music is at the forefront of global culture,” she wrote.
The honour comes at a time when Rema’s career continues to soar internationally. His mega hit “Calm Down” featuring Selena Gomez became one of the most streamed Afrobeats songs of all time, breaking multiple Billboard and Spotify records.
The track, which earned billions of streams, helped him secure nominations at international awards and perform on some of the world’s biggest stages.
Beyond “Calm Down,” Rema’s debut album “Rave & Roses” also made history as the first African album to surpass 3 billion streams on Spotify, further cementing his global influence.
With his blend of Afrobeats, trap, and pop influences, Rema has carved a unique sound that resonates with audiences across continents.
The TIME100 Next list also honoured global music acts such as Teyana Taylor and GloRilla, alongside rising figures from politics, philanthropy, sports, and innovation. For Rema, however, this recognition adds to his growing list of accolades, including his wins at international award ceremonies and consistent chart-topping success.
Fans and industry watchers see his inclusion as a major milestone for Afrobeats, showcasing how far the genre has come in its journey to global dominance. Rema, who often describes his artistry as futuristic, has continued to push boundaries, inspiring a new generation of African musicians to dream beyond local markets.
With his influence extending beyond music into fashion and youth culture, Rema’s appearance on the TIME100 Next list underscores his role not just as an artist, but as a cultural ambassador for Africa. As Afrobeats solidifies its place in global pop culture, stars like Rema are ensuring the movement has staying power.
His recognition is a testament to how far Nigerian and African music have come and how much further they can go with young talents leading the charge.
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