Why Afrobeats artistes shouldn’t stick to what fans like – Rema

Nigerian Afrobeats artist Divine Ikubor, widely known as Rema, emphasized the need for artistic innovation within the genre during a concert over the weekend. Rema asserted that limiting music production to only fan-pleasing tracks could hinder the evolution of Afrobeats.

During his performance, Rema proclaimed himself the “Prince of Afrobeats,” expressing his commitment to advancing the genre. He argued that if he and his fellow artists focus solely on making music tailored to current fan preferences, Afrobeats will stagnate.

“I don’t care what you say about me. 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. And I will say it one more time, I am the Prince of Afrobeats,” he said.

Rema’s remarks arrive amid a wave of social media discourse concerning Afrobeats artists who are increasingly incorporating diverse sounds and genres into their music in an effort to attract international audiences. Many traditional Afrobeats fans have expressed dissatisfaction with this trend, voicing concerns that it dilutes the genre’s authenticity.

Despite the backlash, a growing number of Afrobeats artists continue to release music influenced by foreign styles, reflecting the ongoing evolution within the genre.

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