The ‘Benin Boys’ crooner also claimed that he started the trend of new artistes announcing their debut with an extended play.
“When I came into the game [music industry], I brought a template. The way new artistes come and dominate, mine was different. I started the EP trend. Every [new Afrobeats] artiste since 2019 walked on that path like when you come out, you popped out with an EP,” he stated.
Rema said a lot of people wouldn’t want to credit him for his innovation in Afrobeats so he has to blow his own trumpet.
“A lot of people would argue [my innovation in Afrobeats]. I don’t like to feel an Afrobeats Messiah.
“Sometimes, people don’t like young people applauding themselves. Sometimes, it’s not for you to say. Sometimes, it’s the truth but it’s just not for you to say.
“Sometimes I can’t wait for the OGs to say it but since no one is saying it, I might have to say it myself,” he explained.
MTV Video Music Awards created the Best Afrobeats Song category last year with Rema’s ‘Calm Down Remix’ with Selena Gomez winning the maiden award.
Comedian Tiffany Haddish presented the award to Rema and Gomez for their massive hit “Calm Down.”
“Africa in the house!” Rema started his acceptance speech. “Shout out to Fela (Kuti) who started Afrobeats in the first place…and I want to give a big shout out to the next generation of Afrobeats.”
Rema’s speech elicited wide applause at the venue as he also recognised fellow Afrobeats stars such as Davido, Wizkid, Timaya and even producer Don Jazzy, who he called Daddy.
According to American Music Stats Company, Chart Data, ‘Calm Down’ becomes the first Afrobeats song in history to earn over 1 billion on-demand streams in the US.”In August last year, ‘Calm Down remix’ with Selena Gomez became the first African song to hit the billion mark in Spotify’s history.