In a watershed moment for African music, Divine Ikubor, known professionally as Rema, has become the first African artiste ever to grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. The 25-year-old will headline the April edition of the American publication, which has long been considered the holy grail of music journalism.
Rolling Stone, a monthly magazine renowned for its focus on music, politics and popular culture, described the Nigerian Afrobeats sensation celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to the global music scene as an “Afrobeats visionary” who continues to break boundaries on the international stage. The announcement was met with widespread acclaim, with Mavin Records, Rema’s label, celebrating the achievement on Instagram: “Rave Lordé Rema, the Afrobeats Visionary, makes history as @Rollingstone USA’s First African Cover Star!”
This milestone follows Rema’s recent feature on the cover of Dazed Magazine, further solidifying his status as a trailblazer for African music. Born in Benin City in 2000, Rema rose to prominence in 2019 after signing with Mavin Records. His global influence has grown exponentially since then, with his hit single “Calm Down,” featuring Selena Gomez, becoming the most-streamed Afrobeats track in history. The song not only earned multiple platinum certifications but also made history as the first African-led track to surpass one billion streams on Spotify.
Rema’s achievements extend beyond streaming records. He became the first African artiste to perform at the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony in 2023 and recently delivered an electrifying performance at the Rolling Stone concert, captivating audiences with hits like “Dumebi,” “Woman” and “Calm Down.”
Rema’s historic Rolling Stone cover marks another pivotal moment in the Afrobeats’ rise, showcasing the world’s growing appreciation for African artistry.
