Nigerian Afrobeats star, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has been named on the 2025 TIME100 Next list.
The list, published on Tuesday, celebrates the world’s most influential rising stars across music, film, sports, politics, science, and philanthropy.
Rema is the only Nigerian artiste featured this year. His profile was written by Grammy-winning icon, Angélique Kidjo.
“With the recent global explosion of African music, I needed to include some contemporary sounds. I fell in love with Rema’s ‘Calm Down.’ It has a unique flow and feel, not mimicking Western pop; it is rooted in Africa but also catchy and virtuosic. I love to sing it.
“The young Nigerian superstar has accomplished so much: “Calm Down” has joined the billion-streams club twice over. Rema has performed in stadiums. His latest album earned a Grammy nomination.
“Rema is the embodiment of the international success of Afrobeats. Thanks to artists like him, African music is at the forefront of global culture,” Kidjo wrote.
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Rema first rose to fame with his 2019 hit single Dumebi, released under D’Prince’s Jonzing World label.
Now 25, the Mavin Records star has become a leading voice pushing Afrobeats onto the world stage, with record-breaking performances, awards and global recognition.
His chart-topping single Calm Down has achieved multiple number of streams and gained global acclaim, further pushing Afrobeats’ dominance worldwide.
Rema also earned a nomination in the 2025 Grammys for ‘Best Global Music Album’ for his sophomore album HEIS and also on the ‘Best African Music’ category,’ marking his first nomination.
The 2025 TIME100 Next list includes global stars such as GloRilla, Teyana Taylor, and football prodigy Lamine Yamal.
Others named include Maggie Kang, Fatoumata Ba, Susan Bullman, Sanaz Toossi, and tech entrepreneur Ben Lamm.
In the arts category, Nigerian-American artist Toyin Ojih Odutola was also recognised for her visual storytelling.
TIME said the 100 Next honourees reflect innovation, creativity, advocacy, and leadership shaping the future across industries.
