Big shoutout to Selena Gomez — Rema on beating Wizkid to ‘Best Afrobeats Song’

Divine Ikubor, otherwise known as Rema had a lot of gratitude to share after clinching the “Best Afrobeats Song” awards category in 2023 MTV Video Music Awards that featured a star-studded list of artistes at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Tuesday.

Rema’s chart-topping track, “Calm Down,” a collaboration with American superstar Selena Gomez, triumphed over stiff competition to become the first-ever recipient of this prestigious award.

The category included contenders such as Wizkid’s “2 Sugar,” Burna Boy’s “It’s Plenty,” Fireboy and Asake’s “Bandana,” Davido’s “Unavailable,” Ayra Starr’s “Rush,” and Cameroonian singer Libianca’s “People.”

The young Nigerian artist took to the stage alongside Selena Gomez to accept his well-deserved accolade.

Amidst the dazzling spotlight, the 21-year-old crooner expressed his gratitude by dedicating the award to the pioneers and legends of the Afrobeats genre.

“I wanna give big thanks to my fans. I wanna give big thanks to my team. Big shoutout to Selena [Gomez]. I wanna say I love you from the bottom of my heart. This [award] means so much; seeing Afrobeats grow and being on this stage representing Afrobeats tonight.

“I’m so happy. But one thing I will not forget to do this night is to shout out the people who opened the door for me,” Rema remarked.

In a heartfelt tribute, Rema recognized the luminaries who paved the way for the new generation of Afrobeats artists, stating,

“Big shoutout to Fela, who started Afrobeats, 2Baba, Don Jazzy, D’banj, D’Prince, Runtown, Timaya, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido for opening the door for us new generation of Afrobeats.”