Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Divine Ikubor, known globally as Rema, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone, becoming the first African artist to grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
The iconic American monthly, renowned for its coverage of music, politics, and popular culture, features Rema as its April cover star, further solidifying his position as a global music icon.
Rolling Stone recognized Rema’s boundary-breaking influence, acknowledging his significant impact on the international music scene. Mavin Records, Rema’s label, celebrated the achievement on their official Instagram page, stating: “Rave Lordé Rema the Afrobeats Visionary, makes history as @Rollingstone USA First African Cover Star!”
Following the announcement, Rema captivated audiences with an electrifying performance at the Rolling Stone concert, showcasing his chart-topping hits, including “Dumebi,” “Woman,” and the globally acclaimed “Calm Down.”
This landmark achievement comes shortly after Rema’s feature on the cover of Dazed Magazine, highlighting his increasing presence on major international platforms. Born in Benin City in 2000, Rema rose to prominence in 2019 after signing with Mavin Records.
His success continues to propel Afrobeats onto the global stage. The global smash hit “Calm Down,” featuring Selena Gomez, has become the most streamed Afrobeats track in history, earning multiple platinum certifications and shattering records as the first African-led track to surpass one billion streams on Spotify. The song also topped charts worldwide, achieving number one status on the world’s first regional streaming chart and the first-ever official chart in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), earning Rema a Guinness World Record.
Beyond streaming success, Rema’s impact extends to live performances. He previously made history as the first African artist to perform at the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, France, in 2023, captivating the audience with his signature sound. The Rolling Stone cover further cements Rema’s legacy as a pioneering force in the globalization of African music.
