Rema argues Afrobeats must evolve beyond fan preferences

Nigerian Afrobeats artist Divine Ikubor, known professionally as Rema, has stated that the genre will fail to progress if artists only produce music that caters to existing fan preferences. Speaking at a recent concert, Rema emphasized the importance of creative evolution over audience expectations.

Referring to himself as the ‘Prince of Afrobeats’, the singer argued that prioritizing personal creativity is essential for the genre's growth. His comments follow social media debates regarding the direction of Afrobeats, specifically criticism directed at artists who incorporate foreign sounds and genres to appeal to international markets.