For diasporans locally known as &#8216;I Just Got Back&#8217; (IJGB), coming to Lagos for &#8216;Detty December&#8217; — a time when Nigeria’s cities come alive with celebrations, music, and cultural events — feels like home reimagined, where tradition meets the future.



By early December, the arrival halls at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos had begun to fill with luxury luggage, designer sunglasses and foreign accents. Soon, the ripple became a wave — a surge of international celebrities, diasporans locally known as &#8216;I Just Got Back&#8217; (IJGB), and high-profile figures descending on the city.



&#8216;I Just Got Back,&#8217; the phrase once whispered with pride by Nigerians returning from the West, now rings out as a collective mantra. This year, they arrived in droves. From island parties to sold-out shows, Lagos transformed into Africa’s cultural epicenter in December.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="819" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Courtesy-Flytime-Media-819x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64188" style="width:539px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Courtesy-Flytime-Media-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Courtesy-Flytime-Media-240x300.jpg 240w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Courtesy-Flytime-Media-768x960.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Courtesy-Flytime-Media-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Courtesy-Flytime-Media-1638x2048.jpg 1638w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Courtesy-Flytime-Media-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tyla (Courtesy of Flytime Media)</figcaption></figure></div>


The New Gold Rush



Much like the California gold rush of 1848, Lagos became the center of attraction — but this time, the gold is culture. Afrobeats, the genre that has captured the world’s attention, isn’t just a playlist — it’s the soundtrack to an entire movement.



Spotify’s latest data supports this. Afrobeats has grown by 114% globally, and Nigerian artists dominate the charts. In the 2025 Grammys, the category for Best African Music Performance reads more like a Lagos block party — David &#8216;Davido&#8217; Adeleke, Ayodeji &#8216;Wizkid&#8217; Balogun, Damini &#8216;Burna Boy&#8217; Ogulu, Temilade &#8216;Tems&#8217; Openiyi, Ahmed &#8216;Asake&#8217; Ololade.



Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid dominate global charts, while South Africa&#8217;s Tyla Seethal, American rapper Sergio &#8216;Gunna&#8217; Kitchens, and British-Nigerian rapper Oluwafisayo &#8216;Darkoo&#8217; Isa cross oceans to share the stage at the four-day Lagos’ Flytime Fest attended by over 30,000 fun-seekers. It’s a festival that, since 2004, has grown from a local event to a pilgrimage for anyone who claims to understand music’s next frontier.



“Afrobeats is a new culture wave, and people are coming to the source,” says Abuchi Peter Ugwu, CEO of Chocolate City Music. “It’s the fear of missing out (FoMO) — nobody wants to miss out on the wave.”



By midnight, the skyline twinkles — not from distant stars, but from the glare of concert lights, fireworks, and phone screens held high by thousands who have returned home to dance beneath the Lagos sky.



Time Out magazine recently named Lagos the sixth best city in the world for nightlife, a ranking driven by Afrobeats’ meteoric rise. For diasporans, &#8216;Detty December&#8217; isn’t just a holiday; it’s an initiation into the pulse of home.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Gunna-at-a-local-market-in-Lagos-Jakande-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64187" style="width:583px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Gunna-at-a-local-market-in-Lagos-Jakande-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Gunna-at-a-local-market-in-Lagos-Jakande-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Gunna-at-a-local-market-in-Lagos-Jakande-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Gunna-at-a-local-market-in-Lagos-Jakande-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Gunna-at-a-local-market-in-Lagos-Jakande-1366x2048.jpg 1366w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Gunna-at-a-local-market-in-Lagos-Jakande-scaled.jpg 1708w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gunna at a local market in Lagos, Jakande (Image supplied)</figcaption></figure></div>


While Ghana’s ‘Year of Return’ anchored itself in cultural heritage, Lagos builds its empire around celebration, nightlife, and entertainment. As December rolls around, it’s impossible to scroll through Instagram without seeing clips from rooftop parties, fashion events, or pop-up concerts.



“Nigeria is Africa&#8217;s entertainment heartbeat,” says Keke Hammond, Chief Operations Officer of Flytime Fest. “&#8217;Detty December&#8217; isn’t just about music. From October, the city kicks off with art exhibitions, November blends into fashion week, and by December — music owns the streets.”



Lagos, unlike any other city, doesn’t just host events — it orchestrates a crescendo that peaks at the Lagos Countdown, a state-backed fireworks display and concert, ringing in the New Year with crowds serenaded with performances by Nigeria&#8217;s biggest act at select venues. Wizkid and Burna Boy were among the headliners this year.



A City That Sells Out



By mid-December, Lagos feels stretched to its limits. Hotel rooms vanish overnight. Private villas in Lekki and Ikoyi double their rates. And getting a table at a high-end restaurant? Forget it.



But for every champagne bottle popped, there’s the reality of rising inflation and a naira that struggles to hold its value. At 34.6% inflation in November, Nigeria’s economy is stretched thin.



Still, the influx of tourists and diasporans offers a lifeline as they spend dollars, euros, and pounds across the city’s luxury hotels, boutiques and street markets. Foreign exchange inflows hit $22.9 billion in Q3 2024, a 3% increase quarter-on-quarter.



“Nigerians are resilient and very creative. We defy every single norm. And we have a contagious energy,” says Hammond.



The Future Of &#8216;Detty December&#8217;



With the Lagos Arena under construction, set to house 12,000 people by late 2025, the city is preparing for even more grand-scale events. For now, pop-up concerts spill into streets and boutique hotels burst at the seams with bookings from London, New York, and Toronto.



&#8220;We need to make sure that we are able to accommodate the influx, in terms of hotels and things of that nature,&#8221; Hammond says.



Ugwu also believes the boom can’t just stop at entertainment. “We need infrastructure. If you can build train systems or affordable transport, imagine the reach. Let young people from other locations experience a Burna Boy show without worrying about ride-hailing costs.”



He pauses. “There are a lot of young people that don&#8217;t even experience the culture. I feel like the government has the responsibility to make that happen. Crime drops when young people feel part of something bigger than them.”



As the world watches Afrobeats conquer charts and Nigerian designers dress Hollywood’s elite, the real show is happening under the December skies of Lagos. And those who just got back? They’re already planning next year’s return.

Ayra Starr Performs At Flytime Fest

‘Africa’s Entertainment Heartbeat’: Why Global Stars And ‘IJGBs’ Flocked To Lagos ForThe ‘Detty December’ Parties That Never Stopped

It has been a stellar year for music on the continent. Globally, more artists from Africa have taken center-stage introducing the nuances of African sound that’s becoming a firm favorite.



Digital music service provider Spotify has just released its much-anticipated ‘Wrapped’ list that collates the biggest songs, genres, and artists from around the world. According to its data, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is experiencing what the streaming service is calling a musical renaissance, with a 114% growth in music consumption, eclipsing other regions.



Leading this charge in 2024 is Nigeria-origin genre Afrobeats, which, according to Spotify, has captivated listeners worldwide.&nbsp;



Wrapped 2024 reveals that Nigerian artists such as Ahmed Ololade, also known as Asake, and Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, dominated the most-listed charts.



“This is a major win for Afrobeats, showcasing its growing global influence,” Phiona Okumu, Spotify&#8217;s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa says. “And with Ogulu, a global icon, still holding strong in the top ranks, it&#8217;s clear that Afrobeats isn&#8217;t just a trend; it&#8217;s a cultural phenomenon.”



The streaming platform has also noted the rise of female artists in Africa such as Tyla Laura Seethal and Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known as Ayra Starr. Starr takes the crown as the most-streamed female artist, while Tyla leads the EQUAL artist program in SSA. &nbsp;



The South African Amapiano scene also continues globally to take over charts with Tshwala Bam (a song by South African producers TitoM, whose real name is Thato Mathobela, and Bongani Sibanyoni, popularly known as Yuppe) and Imithandazo (song by Kabelo Motha, known to the world as Kabza De Small and Njabulo “Mthunzi” Ndimande) securing spots on the most-streamed list.



“The significant growth in local music consumption reflects the deep connection audiences have with homegrown sounds. Afrobeats continues to captivate the world, while Amapiano’s explosive growth highlights the continent’s ability to innovate and shape global music trends.



“We’re also seeing a rising interest in rap music, underscoring the diversity of African listeners and their appreciation for lyrical and cultural storytelling. This isn’t just about music — it’s about a celebration of identity, creativity, and the cultural heartbeat that makes Africa a global force in music today… Their success is a testament to the power of music to empower and inspire,” Okumu adds.



The Most-Streamed African Artists In 2024



1.Asake Nigerian singer and rapper, Ololade, first came onto the scene in 2017. When he released his hit single, Mr Money, in 2022, the world began to take note. In 2024, his song Lonely At The Top, was one of the most-streamed.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="682" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2173625350.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63865" style="width:368px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2173625350.jpg 682w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2173625350-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)</figcaption></figure></div>


2. Burna Boy Known to the world for his vocal texture, as well as singing in a blend of English and Yoruba, last year, Ogulu became the first international Afrobeats artist to obtain the number one spot on the official weekly UK album chart. His track Higher was on the most-streamed list this year.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2181280997.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63864" style="width:383px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2181280997.jpg 683w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2181280997-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


3. Seyi Vibez At only 24 years old, Balogun Afolabi Oluwaloseyi’s track Different Pattern was ranked number six this year on the most streamed list. Hailing from Nigeria, in 2023, Oluwaloseyi had his breakthrough with his single Chance (Na Ham), which debuted at number 19 on the UK Afrobeats singles chart and peaked at number 7 on the TurnTable Top 100 chart.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-1658504921.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63863" style="width:449px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-1658504921.jpg 683w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-1658504921-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"> (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


4. Rema Since his rise to stardom in 2019, Divine Ikubor has continued to reach new heights with his music. In 2023, his hit single Calm Down, also featuring global pop artist Selena Gomez, reached over one billion streams on Spotify.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2187245344.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63862" style="width:293px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2187245344.jpg 683w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2187245344-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Photo by Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images for British Vogue)</figcaption></figure></div>


5. Davido In 2023, Forbes called David Adedeji Adeleke &#8220;The King of Afrobeats&#8221;, and he has had a big role in the growth of African music globally. This year, Adeleke released a song with five-time Grammy award winning Benin artist, Angelique Kidjo, which has had over two million streams on Spotify.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2186244849.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63861" style="width:534px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2186244849.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2186244849-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2186244849-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"> (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


6. Wizkid Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun has been regarded as one of the most prominent figures in the “modern-day Afrobeats music scene” as well as considered him as “one of the biggest and most influential African artists of all time”. In 2024, Balogun released his much-anticipated single Piece of My Heart, featuring American singer-songwriter Brent Faiyaz.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2187920400.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63860" style="width:427px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2187920400.jpg 683w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2187920400-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for BFC)</figcaption></figure></div>


7.&nbsp; Bnxn Afro-fusion has become relatively popular but it’s not a new genre on the continent. However, artists like Daniel Etiese Benson have been at the forefront of this genre since his breakthrough in 2018.



8. Omah Lay Stanley Omah Didia has become a household name for songs like Soso and Holy Ghost. His album Boy Alone was also ranked number 8 on the most-streamed list this year.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="682" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2160689344.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63859" style="width:388px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2160689344.jpg 682w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2160689344-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)</figcaption></figure></div>


9. Kizz Daniel Oluwatobiloba Daniel rose to fame in 2014 with his single Woju. In 2024, Daniel has had over four million monthly listeners.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-1443949840.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63858" style="width:504px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-1443949840.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-1443949840-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-1443949840-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Photo by Hector Vivas &#8211; FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


10. ODUMODUBLVCK As an artist who is known for his genre blend music, (known as ODUMODUBLVCK) Tochukwu Gbubemi Ojogwu’s album EZIOKWU was in the top five for the most-streamed album in 2024.

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‘The Cultural Heartbeat That Makes Africa A Global Force In Music’: 2024’s Biggest African Artists As Afrobeats Dominates Charts Again

It has been a stellar year for African music across the globe. With the recent announcement from The Recording Academy on the nominees for the 2024 Grammy Awards, Africa joined the artists in celebrating their spots in what the Academy called &#8220;history”.



In a statement released in November, one of three newly- added categories for the 2024 Grammys is the Best African Music Performance award. It is being hailed a breakthrough acknowledging the commercial and cultural prowess of African music.



&#8220;Giving African music its own category would highlight and celebrate the diversity and richness of Africa,&#8221; Shawn Thwaites, project manager at The Recording Academy, said in a roundtable about the new category. &#8220;This is a great step forward!&#8221;



Africa’s Grammy nominees for 2024 include Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Davido and Musa Keys, Asake and Olamide, all for Best African Music Performance, and Trevor Noah for Best Comedy Album. As FORBES AFRICA, we decided to compile our own list of the biggest African hits of 2023 that got the world on its feet. With the help of the numbers on social media, trends, Spotify listens and YouTube views, the list has been whittled down to the following artists who have scaled global heights. Although some of the music was released before 2023, it seems they are still trending.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Song</td><td>Artist</td><td>Country</td><td>Spotify Listens</td><td>YouTube Views</td><td>Total</td><td>YT Release Date</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>CALM DOWN</td><td>Rema feat Selena Gomez</td><td>Nigeria</td><td>1,112,827,855</td><td>706,057,845</td><td>1,818,885,700</td><td>Sep-22</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>PEOPLE</td><td>Libianca</td><td>Cameroon</td><td>498,353,247</td><td>218,903,109</td><td>717,256,356</td><td>Jan-23</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>RUSH</td><td>Ayra Starr</td><td>Benin</td><td>281,167,683</td><td>264,455,804</td><td>545,623,487</td><td>Sep-22</td><td>2024 Grammy nominee for Best African Music Performance</td></tr><tr><td>PERU</td><td>Fireboy DML &amp; Ed Sheeran</td><td>Nigeria</td><td>283,657,974</td><td>189,399,170</td><td>473057144</td><td>Dec-21</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>WATER</td><td>Tyla</td><td>South Africa</td><td>155,090,107</td><td>39,605,600</td><td>194,695,707</td><td>Oct-23</td><td>2024 Grammy nominee for Best African Music Performance</td></tr><tr><td>UNAVAILABLE</td><td>Davido feat Musa Keys</td><td>Nigeria-South Africa</td><td>98,950,916</td><td>72,345,505</td><td>171,296,421</td><td>Apr-23</td><td>2024 Grammy nominee for Best African Music Performance</td></tr><tr><td>CITY BOYS</td><td>Burna Boy</td><td>Nigeria</td><td>61,573,500</td><td>23,431,043</td><td>85,004,543</td><td>Sep-23</td><td>2024 Grammy nominee for Best African Music Performance</td></tr><tr><td>MNIKE</td><td>Tyler ICU</td><td>South Africa</td><td>31,970,236</td><td>27,545,449</td><td>59,515,685</td><td>Apr-23</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>LONELY AT THE TOP</td><td>Asake</td><td>Nigeria</td><td>35,859,656</td><td>22,932,185</td><td>58,791,841</td><td>Aug-23</td><td>2024 Grammy nominee for Best African Music Performance with Olamide, &#8220;Amapiano”</td></tr><tr><td>HAMBA JUBA</td><td>Lady Amar, Cici, Murumba Pitch and JL SA</td><td>South Africa</td><td>13,336,755</td><td>14,165,502</td><td>27,502,257</td><td>Apr-23</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>ME AND U</td><td>Tems</td><td>Nigeria</td><td>16,206,894</td><td>7,270,381</td><td>23,477,275</td><td>Oct-23</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">*The list is but a small representation of the enormous potential and success of Africa&#8217;s musicians ** All data is as of November 12 2023</figcaption></figure>

Green Modern Split Screen Tutorial YouTube Thumbnail (11)

The Biggest And Best Music In Africa (As Per The Numbers)

The achievement has garnered acclaim from industry insiders, including entertainers, who praise this triumph as a testament to the international success and growing influence of Afrobeats.



At the 2023 Billboard Music Awards held on Sunday, Nigerian sensation Rema and global pop icon Selena Gomez secured the Top Afrobeats Song award for Calm Down, while another Nigerian talent Burna Boy emerged as the Top Afrobeats Artist.



Calm Down soared to the number 3 position on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Rema&#8217;s debut on the chart and adding to Gomez&#8217;s tally of top 10 hits.



Spurred by the release of his seventh studio album, I Told Them, Burna Boy set a new record in September by becoming the first African artist to debut two songs on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart within a single calendar year, with Sittin’ On Top Of The World featuring rapper 21 Savage making its debut at number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Last Last, one of his chart-topping singles, catapulted Burna Boy to his first number 1 position on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart, making him a trailblazer as only the fifth artist to lead the list last year.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1677330587-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-59844" style="width:688px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1677330587-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1677330587-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1677330587-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1677330587-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1677330587-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">NEWARK, NEW JERSEY &#8211; SEPTEMBER 12: Rema attends the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


The Billboard Music Awards introduced new categories this year, including Top Afrobeats Artist and Top Afrobeats Song, recognizing the genre&#8217;s growing influence in the global music landscape. Afrobeats, a contemporary genre, blends traditional African rhythms with modern styles like highlife, hip hop, and dancehall. The genre&#8217;s evolution traces back to Afrobeat, pioneered by the late Nigerian legend Fela Kuti.



The global embrace of Afrobeats is evident in the expansion of awards categories at major ceremonies. The MTV Video Music Awards (VMA), the Grammys, and the American Music Awards have all introduced categories recognizing outstanding achievements in Afrobeats.



Rema&#8217;s success with Calm Down extends beyond the Billboard Music Awards. The track previously earned accolades at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) for Best Afrobeats Song, MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) for Best Afrobeats, and Trace Awards for Song of the Year and Best Global African Artist in the same year.



During the acceptance speeches at the Billboard Music Awards, Gomez expressed gratitude to Rema for choosing her to be part of the remarkable song, while Rema celebrated the victory as a symbol of unity and the global dominance of Afrobeats. Both artists acknowledged their fans and collaborators for their unwavering support.



Accepting the Billboard award, Gomez said, “Thank you guys so, so much for this award. This is honestly Rema’s doing. He chose me to be a part of such an incredible song. So I want to thank him and thank all of you for streaming and listening and I wish we could be there. But thank you!”



“This honor for Calm Down is a celebration of unity and the global domination of Afrobeats. I want to say a big shoutout to Selena Gomez, Mavin Records, Josie Ward as well as the amazing fans who supported us all the way to this point. I want to say a big thank you to Billboard — I’m very grateful. All the way from Nigeria, Rema. One love,” said Rema.



Burna Boy, accepting the top Afrobeats artist award, said: &#8220;Thank you, everyone. I appreciate you. Big up, Billboard Music Awards. Big up to everyone involved. This is dedicated to Africa and every artist coming out of Africa now, you get me. This is for you and yeah, man, the future’s bright. You guys are gonna see the vision. This is just the tip of the iceberg but you’re gonna see the whole vision soon. Salute, love.&#8221;



Expressing elation at the triumph of Burna Boy and Rema, Nigerian artist Onyebuchi Steven, popularly known as Gorimakpa, acknowledges the significance of this achievement in solidifying Nigeria&#8217;s dominance in the global music arena.



&#8220;As Afrobeats continues to assert its influence on the global music scene, the success of Burna Boy and Rema at the Billboard Music Awards serves as a milestone, reinforcing Nigeria&#8217;s position as a powerhouse in the world of music,&#8221; Gorimakpa tells FORBES AFRICA.



The artist highlights the role of the internet in this triumph, emphasizing the impact of social media and digital streaming platforms in propelling Nigerian music to international acclaim. &#8220;The success of Burna Boy and Rema serves as a testament to the global appeal of Afrobeats, encouraging artists to leverage digital platforms and connect with a diverse audience worldwide.&#8221;



He further expresses optimism about the impact this recognition will have on the future of Nigerian music. &#8220;I believe that this achievement will further inspire and motivate the next generation of Nigerian artists to continue pushing boundaries and make their mark on the international stage.&#8221;



Nigerian event host and compere Sadiq Ola Adebimpe, popularly known as Sceed Barms, adds to FORBES AFRICA: &#8220;It&#8217;s evident that the world is listening, and the numbers songs by our artists attract on the digital streaming platforms are not only from this part of the world [Nigeria]. Burna Boy and Rema have become the most-streamed artists in Nigeria on Spotify this year, and winning these awards is a great reward for their tireless efforts in advancing Afrobeats.



&#8220;What this means for the Nigerian music industry is that our artists are truly making us proud, both at home and beyond. The continuous growth of Afrobeats is a testament to the dedication of our artists, who serve as the forefront soldiers, tirelessly contributing to the industry and the genre.&#8221;

Burna Boy Performs At Rogers Arena

‘Reinforcing Nigeria’s Position As Music Powerhouse’: Rema And Burna Boy Win Big At Billboard Awards

Green Modern Split Screen Tutorial YouTube Thumbnail (7)

SOUND STRATEGIES: The Innovators Going Global With African Music

Members of this year’s list of under 30s have one thing in common: A NEW COVID-INDUCED AGENDA FOR SOCIAL CHANGE. So what would a historic pandemic year throw up? ground-breaking entrepreneurs and thinkers. Our 2021 class of under 30s are just that: INFLUENTIAL CREATIVES, IMAGINATIVE BUSINESS OWNERS, INNOVATIVE TECHIES, AND GIFTED SPORTS STARS. Celebrating seven years of the FORBES AFRICA 30 UNDER 30 LIST, these achievers prove that now more than ever,&nbsp; they are crucial to the AFRICAN GROWTH STORY.



<h4 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="h-the-under-30-team">THE UNDER 30 TEAM</h4>



Words: Karen Mwendera, Chanel Retief, Simone Umraw Art Director: Lucy Nkosi Photographer: Motlabana Monnakgotla Retouching: Newkatz Studio Styling: Keabetswe Mafora; Outfits supplied by: Spero Villioti, Viviers Studio, Sisi the Collection, GertJohan Coetzee, Port of LNG, Amen Concepts, Europa Art Studio: Light Station Studio, Johannesburg | Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty



FORBES AFRICA finds out how some of the members of the CLASS of 2021 reacted when they found out that they made the most coveted list in Africa!



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EXTERNAL JUDGES: THE CATEGORY EXPERTS WHOSE ROLE WAS TO SURVEY ALL THE FINALISTS OF THE 2021 30 UNDER 30 LIST, RANK THEM AND PROVIDE COMMENTARY ON EACH CANDIDATE.



BUSINESS: Nigerian businesswoman Uche Pedro, the founder, and CEO of BellaNaija, a media-tech brand known for its entertainment and lifestyle content. She has been in the business game for over 15 years, collecting numerous local and international accolades along the way including making the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA 50 Most Powerful Women list in 2020.



TECHNOLOGY: Olugbenga Agboola, the cofounder and CEO of Flutterwave, an African fintech firm building digital payments infrastructure. He has contributed to the development of fintech solutions at several tech companies and financial institutions such as PayPal, Standard Bank, among others. Flutterwave recently raised $170 million, giving it ‘unicorn’ status with a value of over $1 billion.



CREATIVES: Dr John Kani, a South African actor, author, director, and playwright known for his roles in Marvel movies Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther as well as The Lion King. In addition, Kani is also the Founder of the Market Theatre LaboratoryAcademy, chair of the Apartheid Museum South Africa, patron and Ambassador of the Market Theatre, and Trustee for the WWFNedbank Green Trust.



SPORTS: Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, a Zimbabwean-born professional rugby player who plays for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby and previously for the South African national team and the Sharks in Super Rugby. With 117 caps, he is the most capped prop in South African history and the third most-capped Springbok of all time. He is also a 2019 Rugby World Cup winner. He owns a security company in South Africa and The Beast Foundation.



AUDIT PARTNER: FORBES AFRICA partnered again with SNG Grant Thornton to vet the business and financial statements of the candidates. This involved understanding the landscape, the profitability, growth and most of all, the scalability of each business.



For the full list download the digital copy <a href="https://shop.forbesafrica.com/product/single-digital-issue-30-under-30-june-july-2021/">here</a>

Tag: Rema

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