Afrobeats is at risk of stagnating, according to Rema. At a concert over the weekend the Nigerian star argued the genre cannot move forward if artists limit themselves to songs that simply please current listeners.
Divine Ikubor, known professionally as Rema, told the crowd he prioritises his own tastes when creating music rather than tailoring songs to fans. He framed that choice as a mandate to push Afrobeats beyond its present sound, and declared his role in that effort with a blunt proclamation. "I don’t care what you say about me. I don’t care if you like what I like. But I make music that I like before you like it. If I stick to what you like, Afrobeats is not going to move forward. And I will say it one more time, I am the f**king Prince of Afrobeats," he said.
Rema's remarks come amid visible pushback online over the direction of the genre. Recent social media protests have targeted artistes who incorporate non-African influences, and African and traditional Afrobeats fans have voiced disappointment as some performers blend in foreign sounds and genres in a bid to broaden international appeal.
Those criticisms have not halted the trend. Despite the complaints, more and more Afrobeats artistes continue to release songs and albums heavily influenced by sounds from outside the continent. Rema presented his approach as an intentional counterpoint, arguing that innovation requires artists to lead listeners rather than follow established preferences.
The exchange highlights a widening fault line in contemporary Afrobeats, between preservationist listeners and creators experimenting with global influences. Rema positioned himself on the side of experimentation, insisting his creative autonomy matters more than immediate fan approval. The debate is likely to continue, as artists keep releasing hybridised music and audiences keep debating what counts as the genre's future.
