In every era of the Nigerian music scene, there has always been a big 3. If we backtrack to eras before, we’ve had D’banj, Tuface, and P Square at one point, then Banky W, Wande, and MI, and now as we have it, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido.
These three acts have undoubtedly cleared every pedestal set in many aspects of benchmark for success: longevity, consistency, multiple quality projects, commercial performance of their works, individual shows held around the world, and various other record-breaking performances on a level unmatched by peers. There is a benchmark of A-list acts in the Nigerian industry, with various artists making the cut for the most elite of artistes in Nigeria, but this Big 3 takes it up a notch, elevating above this pedestal and becoming the biggest.
Just recently, Rema “was granted access to his Twitter” and went on a rampage of tweets. Among other things, he mentioned “No more Big 3, there’s now a Big 4,” making an obvious allusion to the big 3 and slotting a new spot in there with himself. This begs the question of the validity of this claim. Is Rema fit enough to fill the shoes of the fourth elite in the Nigerian music scape, Afrobeats or what not? We would look into the facts, for and against the claim: is it valid or not?
To establish a metric for inclusion as the number four, we must highlight the extras that the big 3 are putting forward to be named as such. As mentioned earlier, we will use five criteria to judge Rema’s claim. These five criteria are believed to be met by the big 3 to elevate them.
- Longevity
- Consistency
- Multiple quality projects
- Commercial Performance
- Starpower (local and international)
LONGEVITY
Starting with longevity, it is important to note that the big three have been around and thriving for well over a decade, being active. Using that reference, Rema has genuinely been active for a hot minute, debuting in 2018 with his eponymous EP, and over the course of six full years, he has been on top, dominating the scene. Relatively for his time active in the scene, the longevity is mind-blowing. Even till now, he is considered a youngster, another show of longevity coupled with the fact that his pace at this stage of his career has potential for a long successful career. We can consider he is still on his first album after this year, and this spacing is very smart, given that it can create a pattern that would see him remaining relevant for many years to come with quality drops with intervals already set.
CONSISTENCY
Another trait the big three share is their consistency in releases, not only in terms of the number of works they churn out but also in the hits they are able to produce, considering the quantity and time interval. Rema, over the course of his career, has been impressive in the aspect of hit generation. Every year, he has multiple hits under his belt. Drop after drop, it is a hit, and the consistency has been very respectable. Although, as we said, over the course of six years, there has only been one album, but he has supplemented it with multiple EPs and consistent single releases.
MULTIPLE QUALITY PROJECTS
While this angle might seem challenging, with all odds appearing to stack against Rema, it’s important to note that it’s not entirely a negative outlook. Despite having released only one album in six years, Rema’s approach to his musical journey deserves recognition compared to his peers who have achieved more within the same timeframe. He may have only released one album, but he has supplemented it with a total of four EPs, which he has treated with the same level of care and attention as full albums. These EPs have played a significant role in shaping different eras of his career. Many widely regard his album “Rave & Roses” as a classic, showcasing his unique style and musical approach. Despite the limited quantity of his releases, Rema’s track record of quality projects is commendable.
COMMERCIAL PERFORMANCE
Right here is Rema’s strong point, where he stands shoulder to shoulder with the big three. Undisputedly, Rema is the biggest Nigerian product in terms of commercial performance at this point. In terms of album performance, he has the biggest album in Africa in terms of streams, certifications, and even chart placement. He boasts the biggest song in Africa in terms of the aforementioned categories, and even the biggest music video. Additionally, he has been able to amass awards on another level. In terms of commercial success, he stands among the ranks of anybody from Africa and clearly among the biggest in the world.
STAR POWER
When evaluating star power, three key categories come into play: fan base, impact on culture, and live performances. In terms of fan base, Rema has amassed a dedicated following known as the “Ravers,” which has solidified his presence in the industry. Regarding his impact on culture, Rema’s contributions are undeniable. He pioneered the trend within Mavin Records of introducing new acts with EPs, revitalized the EP culture in Afrobeats, and introduced a unique style of music that initially faced clowning and criticism but has since become widely accepted and replicated. Moreover, his performance repertoire spans across the globe, including notable events like Lollapalooza, Coachella, personalized North American tours, and performances in India and the O2 arena.
Considering these accomplishments, Rema’s claim for a top spot in the industry is justifiable. However, there are still debates and arguments circulating online challenging his claim. Ultimately, the question of whether these achievements justify his claim to the top spot is subjective and open to interpretation. What are your thoughts? Do you believe these accomplishments validate his claim, or do you think it’s invalid?