Nigerian Afrobeats star, Divine Ikubor, better known as Rema, has paid tribute to music legend D’banj for paving the way for artistes like him in the UK music scene.

Rema made the statement on Sunday night, June 8, during his sold-out concert at the iconic O2 Arena in London, where he brought the Koko Master himself on stage to the delight of thousands of fans.

According to the “Calm Down” crooner, D’banj’s groundbreaking hit “Oliver Twist”, which broke into the UK Top 10 chart in 2012, was a turning point that opened doors for Nigerian acts on the global stage.

“First of all, I want to appreciate you for opening the doors,” Rema said. “You were one of the first ones to bring Afrobeats to the UK. You and Don Jazzy held it down. Y’all opened that door. I appreciate you for life. I love you from the bottom of my heart. If you never existed, I would have never existed.”

The emotional moment drew cheers from the crowd and marked a symbolic passing of the torch between generations.
Many fans online have praised Rema for giving D’banj his flowers while still alive.

D’banj, who dominated the early 2000s with hits like “Why Me”, “Fall in Love” and “Suddenly”, is widely recognised for taking Afrobeats to an international level, especially during his days with Don Jazzy under Mo’Hits Records.

Rema’s tribute has since gone viral on social media, sparking nostalgia and applause for the role D’banj played in making Afrobeats a global force.

The O2 concert, which attracted over 20,000 fans, also featured surprise appearances, dazzling visuals, and a performance catalogue that spanned Rema’s brief but impactful career.