Rema, the world-famous Afrobeats singer, has been congratulated by the presidency for his win at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).
On Tuesday, ‘Calm Down’, a hit single by Rema featuring Selena Gomez, won the ‘Best Afrobeats’ category at the 2023 edition of the award ceremony.
In a statement on Thursday, the presidency commended Rema’s “global influence, talent, and commitment to representing Nigeria in music”.
The statement praised the singer for his “amazing acceptance speech” during the award ceremony.
The presidency also hailed the Afrobeats star for “breaking barriers” and “serving as an inspiration to countless other Nigerian artistes”.
“Congratulations to Nigeria’s very own – Rema, on winning the ‘Best Afrobeats’ at the VMAs for his song ‘Calm Down’ with Selena Gomez. Such an amazing acceptance speech,” the statement reads.
“Winning ‘Best Afrobeats’ at the VMAs is just one milestone in Rema’s remarkable career. He continues to represent Nigeria on the world stage, breaking barriers and inspiring countless others.
“His talent knows no bounds, and his music resonates with audiences worldwide. From Benin City to the VMA stage, Rema’s journey continues to be a testament to dedication, passion, and the true Nigerian spirit.”
Rema, Born divine Ikubor, teamed up with Gomez for the remix of ‘Calm Down’, a single off his debut album in 2022.
Since its release, the song’s remix has continued to rake in massive numbers on streaming services, break records, and earn awards.