LAGOS, Nigeria (BN24) — Nigerian Afrobeats artist Divine Ikubor, known professionally as Rema, has been named to the 2025 TIME100 Next list, marking a major milestone in his rapidly rising global career. Published Tuesday, the list highlights 100 emerging leaders shaping the future across music, film, science, politics, and philanthropy.
Rema, 25, is the sole African artist featured this year, standing out among international figures in entertainment and innovation. His selection is accompanied by a tribute penned by five-time Grammy-winning artist Angélique Kidjo, who described Rema as a defining force in the global rise of Afrobeats.
“The young Nigerian superstar has accomplished so much: ‘Calm Down’ has joined the billion-streams club twice over,” Kidjo wrote, referencing Rema’s breakout hit that continues to dominate global charts and streaming platforms.
Kidjo praised Rema as “the embodiment of the international success of Afrobeats,” emphasizing how artists like him have propelled African music to the forefront of global culture. Her remarks place Rema in a lineage of African innovators whose influence extends well beyond music.
Other notable figures on the 2025 TIME100 Next list include American music icons Teyana Taylor and GloRilla, underscoring the list’s broad recognition of creative excellence. TIME’s editorial team described the honorees as “rising stars” who are “forging new paths and pushing boundaries in their industries.”
Rema’s inclusion on the prestigious list not only cements his place among the world’s most influential young artists but also signals a broader acknowledgment of Afrobeats as a global movement. With over a billion streams and growing international recognition, Rema’s ascent mirrors the expanding footprint of African culture on the world stage.
