Divine Ikubor aka Rema has won the maiden “Best Afrobeats Song” category at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, USA, on Tuesday.
He defeated many industry heavyweights to clinch the award.
“Calm Down”, Rema’s collaborative hit song with American superstar, Selena Gomez was adjudged the first-ever winner of the newly created “Best Afrobeats Song” category over his compatriots Wizkid’s “2 Sugar”, Burna Boy’s “It’s Plenty”, Fireboy and Asake’s “Bandana”, Davido’s “Unavailable”, Ayra Starr’s “Rush”, and Cameroonian singer, Libianca’s “People.”
Rema was accompanied to the stage by Selena Gomez to receive his award.
With the spotlight firmly on him, the 21-year-old crooner dedicated his laurel to afrobeats pioneers and legends.
“I wanna give big thanks to my fans. I wanna give big thanks to my team. Big shoutout to Selena [Gomez]. I wanna say I love you from the bottom of my heart.
“This [award] means so much; seeing afrobeats grow and being on this stage representing afrobeats tonight. I’m so happy. But one thing I will not forget to do this night, is to shout out the people who opened the door for me.
“Big shoutout to Fela who started afrobeats, 2Baba, Don Jazzy, D’banj, D’Prince, Runtown, Timaya, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido for opening the door for us new generation of Afrobeats,” Rema said.