Nigerian Afrobeats Star Rema Named the Only African on TIME 100 Innovators List

Afrobeats star Rema has earned global recognition as the only African artist named to the 2025 TIME 100 Innovators list. The annual ranking by TIME celebrates individuals who are shaping culture, technology, and creativity on a worldwide scale. For Rema, the honor highlights not only his personal rise but also Afrobeats’ growing impact in global music.

What Makes Rema’s TIME 100 Recognition Significant?

The TIME 100 franchise has long been regarded as a cultural benchmark, spotlighting leaders, artists, and pioneers who are influencing the future. Unlike the Person of the Year, which singles out one individual, the TIME 100 divides influence across categories such as Icons, Leaders, Titans, and Innovators.

Being listed under the Innovators category places Rema alongside global figures who are redefining their fields. Past TIME 100 honorees have included Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Simone Biles, Kate Winslet, Billie Eilish, BTS, and Burna Boy, who appeared in 2024. Rema’s selection shows how far Afrobeats has traveled, moving from Lagos to the world stage while retaining its authenticity.

His 2022 hit “Calm Down” became one of the most-streamed African songs in history, surpassing the billion-stream milestone twice and breaking into markets from the U.S. to India. The remix with Selena Gomez propelled it even further into global charts, while his Grammy-nominated album proved his artistry extends beyond singles. This combination of commercial success and critical acclaim made his inclusion on the 2025 list a natural progression.

Each TIME 100 profile is written by a peer, and Grammy-winning legend Angélique Kidjo authored Rema’s. She connected his rise to the legacy of African icons like Fela Kuti and Miriam Makeba, writing: “I fell in love with Rema’s Calm Down. It has a unique flow and feel, not mimicking Western pop; it is rooted in Africa but also catchy and virtuosic. I love to sing it.”

Kidjo emphasized that Rema represents the international breakthrough of Afrobeats, a genre now driving global playlists and influencing mainstream pop music. His ability to stay rooted in African rhythms while appealing to a global audience is what sets him apart.

Rema’s recognition is not just a personal win but also proof of Afrobeats’ place in shaping cultural innovation worldwide. As the only African on the 2025 TIME 100 Innovators list, he stands as a symbol of how African music has become central to the global soundscape.

By Risper Akinyi