Nigerian singer, Divine Ikubor, also known as Rema, has claimed that every new Afrobeats artist that has emerged since 2019 is following the template he created.
He made the claim while featuring in a recent episode of The Breakfast Club.
The ‘Ozeba’ crooner also claimed that he started the trend of new artists announcing their debut with an extended play.
“When I came into the game [music industry], I brought a template. The way new artists come and dominate, mine was different. I started the EP trend. Every [new Afrobeats] artist since 2019 walked on that path like when you come out, you popped out with an EP,” he stated.
Rema said a lot of people wouldn’t want to credit him for his innovation in Afrobeats so he has to blow his own trumpet.
“A lot of people would argue [my innovation in Afrobeats]. I don’t like to feel an Afrobeats Messiah.
“Sometimes, people don’t like young people applauding themselves. Sometimes, it’s not for you to say. Sometimes, it’s the truth but it’s just not for you to say.
“Sometimes I can’t wait for the OGs to say it but since no one is saying it, I might have to say it myself,” he explained.