Apple Music Names Rema Up Next Artist

Following his recent nomination at the 2020 BET Awards, Rema has been named by Apple as their Up Next Artist.

Apple made the announcement on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, making the young singer its latest artist on the ‘Up Next’ program, Apple Music’s monthly artist initiative geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent.

Apple Music says, “Since the debut of his Rema EP in March 2019, Rema has become the #18 World Artist across Apple Music based on lifetime plays.”

Speaking on the recognition, Rema said:

Getting recognized by Apple as their Up Next artist is a huge deal for me. I want to take Afrobeats to the world and now the world is listening, it’s an honor. This has come during a time when across the world people are uniting and coming together to fight for justice.

This generation, my generation, are standing up and speaking out and it’s amazing to see, I am standing right beside them.”

Apple Music’s Global Editorial Head of Hip-Hop and R&B, Ebro Darden, notes:

Rema embodies the youth movement emerging from the continent of Africa. His voice has carried him from Benin City, Nigeria to Barack Obama’s 2019 Summer Playlist.

He’s been co-signed by Drake and Rihanna and has remixes to his music with Becky G, Matoma, and Major Lazer. Rema is a shy, young artist who has managed to capture the world’s attention with his art. We are excited to amplify him further and can’t wait to see what he’ll do with his platform next.”

Rema’s Up Next short was recorded remotely in Lagos by the artist himself, and during the interview, he reveals how he got his name.