Rema has given Afrobeats fans something to think about after boldly declaring that the genre cannot grow if artists only make the music their audiences want.
The Nigerian singer made the statement during his concert over the weekend before proclaiming himself the “Prince of Afrobeats” and describing his own music as part of his mission to move the genre forward.
I do not care what you say about me. I do not care if you like what I like. But I make music that I like before you like it. If I stick to what you like, Afrobeats is not going to move forward. And I will say it one more time, I am the f**king Prince of Afrobeats.
His remarks come amid an ongoing conversation about the direction of Afrobeats.
Some fans have criticised the increasing use of foreign sounds and genres, particularly when African artists try to appeal to audiences outside the continent.
But as more artists experiment with different influences, Rema appears to see that evolution as necessary rather than a problem.
For him, pleasing fans cannot come before artistic freedom if Afrobeats is going to keep progressing.