close
Monday, March 17, 2025

Rema becomes first African artiste to feature on Rolling Stone cover

The Afrobeats sensation is the cover star for the April edition of Rolling Stone.

• March 17, 2025
Rema on Roling Stone cover
Rema on Roling Stone cover [Credit: Punch Newspaper ]

Nigerian music superstar Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has made history as the first African artiste to feature on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

Rolling Stone is an American monthly magazine focusing on music, politics, and popular culture.

The Afrobeats sensation is the cover star for the April edition of Rolling Stone.

Mavin Records lauded the uncommon feat with a post on its official Instagram page: “Rave Lordé Rema, the Afrobeats Visionary, makes history as @Rollingstone U.S.A.’s First African Cover Star!”

Following the recognition, the “Heis” crooner thrilled audiences with an electrifying performance at the Rolling Stone concert, performing some of his hit songs, including “Dumebi,” “Woman,” and “Calm Down.”

This milestone has further cemented Rema’s place as a trailblazer for African music, as this feat is coming shortly after he was highlighted on the cover of Dazed Magazine, another major international platform.

Rema, born in 2000 in Benin City, came to the limelight in 2019 after signing with Mavin Records.

His rising profile has continued to highlight Afrobeats on the global stage, as his hit song “Calm Down,” featuring Selena Gomez, became the most streamed Afrobeats track in history, earning him multiple platinum certifications.

The song also broke records as the first African-led track to surpass a billion on Spotify streams, dominating international charts.

“Calm Down” became the number-one hit on the world’s first regional streaming chart and the first-ever official chart in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), earning Rema a Guinness World Record.

Rema also made history as the first African artiste to perform at the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony when he thrilled the audience at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, France.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Abubakar Kyari

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Police service commission

NationWide

PSC promotes 66 senior police officers

Mr Ani said all promoted officers appeared before the commission and underwent examination and an interactive interview.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

NationWide

Political parties, CSOs petition UN over Akpoti’s suspension, sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio

They described it as a calculated effort to undermine Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s credibility.

President William Ruto, African Development Bank (AfDB) president Akinwumi Adesina

Africa

President Ruto confers highest Kenyan national honour on AfDB chief Akinwumi Adesina

Mr Adesina, in a tweet on Monday, appreciated Mr Ruto for the honour.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote

NationWide

Dangote to build 6 Mta cement plant in Itori, largest Seaport at Olokola, also in Ogun state

He said Ogun State is one of the most attractive investment destinations in Nigeria.

Federal High Court Abuja

NationWide

AGF lacks power to prosecute offences under Electoral Act: Court 

He held that only INEC could initiate and maintain criminal proceedings for offences under the Electoral Act, 2022.

Alex Otti

States

Abia governor signs electricity bill into law

The governor said the integrated power initiative now stands as a model for power infrastructure in Nigeria.