Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Rema has made history by becoming the first African artist to grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine’s special report, The Future of Music 2025. This prestigious edition shines a spotlight on the innovative and emerging artists who are set to shape the future of the music industry.
Born Divine Ikubor, Rema has experienced a meteoric rise in the global music scene, and his inclusion in the “Future of Music” feature is a testament to his incredible journey from a teenage star to a worldwide phenomenon. He shares the cover with other rising talents like Benson Boone, Ivan Cornejo, and Megan Moroney, all of whom are recognized for their contributions to the future of sound and culture.
Rema’s path to international fame was solidified by the success of his 2022 hit, Calm Down, especially the remix featuring Selena Gomez. The track became a defining moment in his career, achieving monumental success across various global charts. Calm Down made history as one of the longest-charting Afrobeats songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained at the top of the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart for a remarkable 58 weeks. Rema also joined the elite ranks of artists who have surpassed a billion streams on Spotify, cementing his place as a global music icon.
As part of his feature, Rema also took the stage at Rolling Stone’s Future of Music concert during the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, where he captivated the audience with his electrifying performance. This moment further underscored his global appeal and growing influence in the industry.
