Rema Makes History as First African Artist on Rolling Stone Cover

Nigerian music sensation, Divine Ikubor, professionally known as Rema, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first African artist to feature on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

A Groundbreaking Achievement

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rolling Stone—a renowned American monthly magazine focusing on music, politics, and pop culture—selected Rema as the cover star for its April edition. This accomplishment underscores Rema’s growing global influence and his pivotal role in shaping the Afrobeats genre.

Industry Recognition

Rema’s record label, Mavin Records, celebrated the achievement through an Instagram post, stating:

“Rave Lordé Rema, the Afrobeats Visionary, makes history as @Rollingstone USA’s First African Cover Star!”

Electrifying Performance

In celebration of the feature, Rema delivered an energetic performance at the Rolling Stone concert, captivating the audience with his popular tracks, including ‘Dumebi’, ‘Woman’, and the global hit ‘Calm Down’.

Solidifying His Global Presence

This achievement follows Rema’s recent cover feature on Dazed Magazine, further establishing his presence in the international music scene. His consistent recognition highlights his influence in expanding Afrobeats’ global reach.

Rising to Stardom

Born in 2000 in Benin City, Nigeria, Rema gained widespread attention in 2019 after signing with Mavin Records. Since then, he has been a driving force in promoting Afrobeats worldwide.

Record-Breaking Success

Rema’s track ‘Calm Down’, featuring Selena Gomez, has become the most-streamed Afrobeats song in history, earning multiple platinum certifications. The song also made history as the first African-led track to surpass one billion streams on Spotify, topping international music charts.

Furthermore, ‘Calm Down’ secured the number-one spot on the world’s first regional streaming chart and the first-ever official chart in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This accomplishment also earned Rema a Guinness World Record.

Global Milestones

In addition to his musical successes, Rema became the first African artist to perform at the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony in 2023, held in Paris, France. His performance further showcased his global appeal and solidified his place among the industry’s elite.

Key Takeaways

• Rema is the first African artist to feature on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
• His song ‘Calm Down’ broke streaming records, becoming the most-streamed Afrobeats track in history.
• Rema’s international influence continues to grow, marking significant milestones in his career.
• He became the first African performer at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in 2023.