With his album “Rave & Roses,” Nigerian musician Divine Ikubor, also known by his stage name Rema, broke a record by surpassing one billion Spotify streams. He is the only African musician that has achieved this astounding feat, making it a big deal among African music lovers.
REMA's 'Rave & Roses' becomes the first African project in history to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify, following 'Ultra' version. pic.twitter.com/QoZZm8x2mY
— chart data (@chartdata) April 28, 2023
Rema has developed a devoted audience both in Nigeria and abroad thanks to his distinctive sound, which combines Afrobeats, trap, and pop. When he signed with Mavin Records, one of Nigeria’s top record labels, in 2019, his rise to fame officially began. Since then, he has put out a number of popular songs, including “Dumebi”, “Calm Down” and “Iron Man,” which have brought him praise from critics and a devoted following.
It was much awaited when “Rave & Roses” was released in March 2021, and it did not dissapoint. Twelve songs make up the album, some of which were written in conjunction with other Nigerian musicians. From the album’s first tune, “Soundgasm,” through its final track, Rema gives a stirring and moving performance that demonstrates the breadth of his artistic talent.
The ability of “Rave & Roses” to appeal to audiences around the world is one of the factors contributing to its success. Because the lyrics are sung in English and the album’s themes of love, heartbreak, and perseverance are universal and relatable, a wider audience can enjoy it.
Rema’s accomplishment marks a key turning point for African music, which has gained more international acclaim in recent years. African musicians like Burna Boy and Wizkid have amassed sizable fan bases outside of the continent, and listeners all over the world love their music. Rema’s success serves to inspire upcoming musicians all over the continent and further solidifies the place of African music on the international music scene.
Rema’s “Rave & Roses” is more than just a popular album; it is proof of the influence of African music and its capacity to appeal to listeners all over the world. Rema has broken down barriers and opened opportunities for African artists with his one billion Spotify streams, and his success is a hint of much bigger things to come.
