Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first African artist to grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine’s special edition, The Future of Music 2025. The globally renowned publication spotlights emerging and influential artists shaping the music industry’s future, and Rema’s inclusion solidifies his status as a global force in contemporary music.
Born Divine Ikubor, Rema is one of four artists featured on the digital cover of The Future of Music 2025, alongside Benson Boone, Ivan Cornejo, and Megan Moroney. His journey from a teenage breakout star to a globally recognized artist has been nothing short of remarkable, with his 2022 hit single “Calm Down” playing a crucial role in his international success.
The song, particularly its remix featuring Selena Gomez, became one of the longest-charting Afrobeats songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and held the number one spot on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart for an unprecedented 58 weeks. The track also earned Rema a place in the Billion Spotify Streams club, further cementing his influence in the global music industry.
As part of Rolling Stone’s Future of Music initiative, Rema also performed at the magazine’s special concert during the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas. His presence at the event underscored Afrobeats’ growing dominance on the global music scene.
During the media campaign, Rema expressed his gratitude for the recognition, acknowledging the significance of his achievement for aspiring artists back home.
“It is a great honor! I feel blessed, and I know for the kids who are home who look up to me, they’re proud,” Rema said. “I am proud to be here, not just representing myself but also representing them. Being a young youth from Benin City, Nigeria.”
While Rema is the first African artist to appear on the cover, Nigerian singer Omah Lay was previously recognized in The Future of Music 2024 list, reflecting Nigeria’s continued influence on the global music stage.
Rema’s feature on the Rolling Stone cover marks a significant moment for Afrobeats and African music as a whole. As the genre continues to captivate global audiences, artists like Rema are at the forefront, shaping the sound of the future and breaking barriers along the way.
