Don’t limit Afrobeats to what fans want – Rema
Nigerian Afrobeats star Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has challenged artistes in the genre to move beyond familiar sounds and create music that reflects their individual artistic instincts.
The singer said Afrobeats can only continue to grow and evolve if musicians are prepared to experiment rather than simply producing songs based on what audiences already enjoy.
Speaking during his concert over the weekend, Rema explained that his creative process begins with making music that appeals to him personally before considering how listeners might receive it.
“I don't care if you like what I like. But I make music that I like before you like it. If I stick to what you like, Afrobeats is not going to move forward,” he said.
Rema also referred to himself as the “Prince of Afrobeats”, positioning his generation of musicians as having a responsibility to expand the boundaries of the genre and take it to new heights.
His remarks come amid growing debate over the evolution of Afrobeats and the increasing incorporation of international sounds into contemporary African music.
While some traditional fans have expressed concerns that artistes are moving away from the genre’s established identity in pursuit of global audiences, others argue that experimentation is essential to its continued international growth.
Rema’s comments add to the wider conversation about whether Afrobeats should remain rooted in its traditional sound or continue embracing influences from other musical genres as its global audience expands.