Award-winning Afrobeats star Rema has reflected on his journey from facing online trolls to achieving global success, emphasising his pioneering tour in India.

In an interview, he expressed gratitude for turning early criticism into motivation, noting how devastating it would have been to abandon his ambitions due to negativity.

He said: “And it’s just beautiful to see something that people trolled me for, criticised me for. And, you know, I’m benefiting from that. It’s like, imagine if I stopped. Imagine if I actually listened to the trolls and was like, oh, I think I should switch it off.

“You know, imagine. And, like, what, four years later, it paid and it paid. And more to come. You know, because it’s a huge territory, right? And I’m actually the first person to actually tour India. You know, from the Afrobeats, basically. And I even came from Africa, if I’m not wrong, or if I’m mistaken, forgive me. But it’s a big, huge deal. And it’s not just about the wedding, it’s just about the reception”.

Four years after enduring skepticism about his unique sound, Rema has emerged as a trailblazer, potentially becoming the first Afrobeats artist to tour India.

The tour, which included a performance at the Ambani wedding, extends beyond a single event, reflecting a broader embrace of Afrobeats in India’s vast cultural market.