In an extraordinary year marked by unparalleled global success for a Nigerian artist, Rema made history by selling out the O2 Arena, solidifying his place on a stage that has been a launching pad for numerous Nigerian superstars.
On November 14, 2023, Rema celebrated a moment in his career. The 23-year-old burst onto the Nigerian mainstream in 2019 with his self-titled EP, “Rema” followed by ‘Bad Commando’ months later. These projects showcased Rema’s unique talent, pushing the creative boundaries of Afrobeats and propelling him to the prestigious O2 Arena.
Under the banner of ‘RAVAGE BANDITS,’ the sold-out concert, witnessed by over 40,000 viewers on YouTube, saw Rema electrify fans with a dynamic performance, blending his energetic stage presence with a collection of his chart-topping hits.
Expressing gratitude on his X account, Rema acknowledged Burna Boy’s influence, recalling the pivotal moment when Burna Boy invited him on stage two years ago.
Riding into the O2 Arena on a horse adorned in his brand colors, red and black, wearing a flowing black cape and a mask inspired by the legendary Benin Queen Idia, Rema embraced his cultural heritage, appearing as a supreme figure armed with exceptional talent.
Backed by a live band, Rema commenced the show with ‘DND,’ a track from his latest EP ‘RAVAGE,’ setting a high-energy tone for the night. Despite minor technical glitches, he maintained an infectious energy throughout the over two-hour performance, treating the audience to renditions of his R&B tracks ‘Dirty’ and ‘Ginger,’ followed by the crowd-favorite ‘Lady.’
Watch the Performance
Undeterred by technical hiccups, Rema engaged with the audience before delivering a captivating performance of ‘Soundgasm.’ Returning for the second act on the back of a bat with glowing red eyes, Rema embraced a futuristic warrior aesthetic. He presented Trap versions of his catalog, including early releases from ‘Rema EP’ and ‘Bad Commando,’ as well as enthralling Trap-leaning records like ‘Hov,’ ‘Are You There,’ ‘Addicted,’ and his verse from Jae5’s ‘Dimension.’
Taking a brief break filled by the band, Rema’s third and final act delved into his hit songs, opening with ‘Troublemaker’ and ‘Holiday’ before bringing out the Mavin Records crew for their collaboration ‘Won Da Mo.’ Rema’s O2 Arena triumph cements his status as an international Afrobeats icon, poised to elevate Nigerian music to new heights.
