Nigerian Afrobeats sensation, Divine Ikubor, better known as Rema, has been named among the 2025 TIME100 Next list, which highlights the world’s most influential rising stars.
The prestigious list, released on Tuesday, celebrates trailblazers across diverse industries including music, film, sports, politics, science, and philanthropy.
Rema stands out as the only African artist recognized this year. His profile was written by multiple Grammy-winning legend Angélique Kidjo, who praised the 24-year-old’s groundbreaking achievements.
“The young Nigerian superstar has accomplished so much: ‘Calm Down’ has joined the billion-streams club twice over,” Kidjo noted. She described Rema as “the embodiment of the international success of Afrobeats,” adding that African music is now firmly positioned at the forefront of global culture thanks to artists like him.
Other global talents featured in the 2025 TIME100 Next list include American stars Teyana Taylor and GloRilla, underscoring the magazine’s recognition of cultural leaders shaping the future.
Rema’s inclusion cements his status as one of Africa’s brightest exports and a leading force in pushing Afrobeats beyond borders.
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