Afrobeats star Rema has earned a major global milestone, becoming the only African artist featured on the 2025 TIME 100 Innovators list. TIME describes the annual ranking as a celebration of individuals who are shaping culture, technology, and creativity worldwide.
For Rema, the recognition underscores not just his personal achievements but also Afrobeats’ growing role in global music.
The TIME 100 franchise has become
one of the most recognised platforms for spotlighting influential figures
across industries. First published in 1999, the annual list has evolved into a
cultural benchmark, featuring leaders, artists, and pioneers whose work is
considered groundbreaking on a global scale.
The TIME 100 categorizes influence into
groups such as Icons, Pioneers, Titans, Artists, Leaders, and Innovators, in
contrast to Person of the Year, which typically highlights a specific person or
group.
TIME editors select entrants, with nominations from previous honorees and the
global writing team. The end product is a cross-sectoral snapshot of
individuals who are shaping the future.
Past lists have included international personalities such as Prince Harry and
Meghan Markle, Simone Biles, Kate Winslet, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Billie
Eilish, BTS, and Nigerian artist Burna Boy (featured in 2024) have been
previous honorees in the music category.
The TIME 100 Innovators category spotlights emerging leaders who are reshaping
their domains.
To be the only African artist
included in 2025 reflects both the scale of Rema’s reach and the recognition of
Afrobeats as a global force.
Rema’s
selection follows a string of international successes that have positioned him
at the forefront of Afrobeats. became
one of the most-streamed African songs in history, crossing the billion-stream
mark twice and breaking into markets from the United States to India.
The remix of
the track featuring Selena Gomez propelled it deeper into mainstream global
charts, leading to his performances in arenas and stadiums around the world.
His most recent album received a Grammy nomination, further establishing his
credibility beyond the realm of viral singles and into that of full-length
artistry. His inclusion on the 2025 list was inevitable due to that combination
of commercial impact and critical recognition.
Rema’s
recognition comes during a period when Afrobeats has firmly established itself
in global pop culture. Nigerian artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tems have
sold out international venues, collaborated with Western superstars, and picked
up Grammy wins and nominations, and Rema’s presence on the TIME 100 Innovators
list continues to signal more than commercial success and position Afrobeats as
a cultural innovation shaping how the world consumes music.
By being the
only African included this year, Rema is carrying the flag for the continent in
a space dominated by tech founders, Hollywood names, and scientific leaders. It
is an acknowledgement that music, and particularly African music, belongs in
the same conversation about innovation as breakthrough technologies or policy
shifts.
For Rema, this milestone is another indication that his music transcends our borders. For Afrobeats, it’s proof of a genre that has journeyed from Lagos to stadiums worldwide, and one that will continue to grow as it earns recognition on the world’s most influential cultural lists.
Source: Pulse.Ng
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