Nigerian recording artiste, Divine Ikubor who is better known as Rema has become the first artiste to win the award for the maiden ‘Best Afrobeats Song’ category at the MTV Music Video Awards.
The award ceremony took place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, USA, on Tuesday.
“Calm Down”, Rema’s collaborative hit song with American superstar Selena Gomez was adjudged the first-ever winner of the newly created “Best Afrobeats Song” category over his compatriots Wizkid’s “2 Sugar”, Burna Boy’s “It’s Plenty”, Fireboy and Asake’s “Bandana”, Davido’s “Unavailable”, Ayra Starr’s “Rush”, and Cameroonian singer, Libianca’s “People.”
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The 23-year-old musician was accompanied to the stage by Selena Gomez to receive his award.
Rema Pays Tribute To Afrobeat Pioneers
The Nigerian singer-songwriter dedicated his laurel to Afrobeats pioneers and icons in the Nigerian music industry.
“I wanna give big thanks to my fans. I wanna give big thanks to my team. Big shoutout to Selena [Gomez]. I wanna say I love you from the bottom of my heart.
“This [award] means so much; seeing Afrobeats grow and being on this stage representing afrobeats tonight. I’m so happy. But one thing I will not forget to do this night, is to shout out the people who opened the door for me.
“Big shoutout to Fela who started Afrobeats, 2Baba, Don Jazzy, D’banj, D’Prince, Runtown, Timaya, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido for opening the door for us new generation of Afrobeats,” Rema said.