Rema wins ‘Best Afrobeats Song’ at the MTV Video Music Awards over Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, and others

The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards were held on Tuesday at the Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey, USA, and featured sensational Nigerian artist Divine Ikubor, better known by her stage name Rema, as the first-ever winner of the “Best Afrobeats Song” category.

Rema beat out fellow Nigerians Wizkid’s “2 Sugar,” Burna Boy’s “It’s Plenty,” Fireboy and Asake’s “Bandana,” Davido’s “Unavailable,” Ayra Starr’s “Rush,” and Cameroonian singer Libianca’s “People” to become the first-ever winner of the newly established “Best Afrobeats Song” category.

Selena Gomez escorted Rema to the podium to accept his prize.

The 21-year-old crooner, who is currently in the public eye, dedicated his award to the pioneers and icons of afrobeats.

“I want to express my gratitude to my fans. I want to express my gratitude to my colleagues. Strong kudos to Selena [Gomez]. I want to express my deepest affection for you.

“Seeing afrobeats develop and standing on this platform tonight representing afrobeats means so much to me. I’m overjoyed. I will make sure to thank the folks who opened the door for me this evening, though, and that is one thing I won’t forget to do.

“Big shoutout to Fela who started afrobeats, 2Baba, Don Jazzy, D’banj, D’Prince, Runtown, Timaya, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido for opening the door for us new generation of afrobeats,” Rema remarked.