Nigerian Afrobeats star, Divine Ikubor, better known as Rema, has been named among the 2025 TIME100 Next, a global list that recognises rising leaders and influential talents shaping the future.

The list, released on Tuesday, cuts across different fields including music, film, sports, science, politics and philanthropy.

According to the publication, Rema is the only African act to make the prestigious roll this year. His entry was profiled by Grammy-winning Beninese legend, Angélique Kidjo.

“The young Nigerian superstar has accomplished so much: ‘Calm Down’ has joined the billion-streams club twice over,” Kidjo wrote.

She further described him as a symbol of Afrobeats’ global takeover.

“Rema is the embodiment of the international success of Afrobeats. Thanks to artists like him, African music is at the forefront of global culture,” she added.

Other global entertainers who also made the 2025 TIME100 Next list include American singer Teyana Taylor and rapper GloRilla.