Nigerian singer Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has expressed deep admiration for Afrobeats legend D’banj, highlighting his pivotal role in bringing the genre to global prominence, particularly in the UK.

D’banj’s 2012 smash hit, Oliver Twist, marked a milestone as the first Nigerian track to break into the UK Official Chart’s top 10, paving the way for future Afrobeats artists on the international stage.

At his sold-out concert held on Sunday at London’s O2 Arena, Rema invited D’banj on stage and acknowledged that his own success in the UK would not have been possible without D’banj’s trailblazing efforts.

“You were one of the first to introduce Afrobeats to the UK audience. You and Don Jazzy held it down and opened that door for us,” Rema said.

He added, “I appreciate you for life. I love you from the bottom of my heart. If you never existed, I wouldn’t either.”