Nigerian international sensation, Rema, made a bold decision to refuse performing in Atlanta due to the poor condition of the venue. Renowned for his hit single ‘Calm Down,’ which has achieved massive global success and contributed significantly to the international recognition of Afrobeats, Rema is a leading talent in the genre.
On July 27, 2023, during his ‘Rave & Roses’ Tour, the award-winning artist chose not to go ahead with his performance in Atlanta, expressing his displeasure with the unsatisfactory state of the venue. A video captured by an audience member and shared on Twitter showed Rema addressing his fans, emphasizing that Afrobeats deserved better than the subpar conditions they were presented with.
“Afrobeats is much bigger than this. I don’t tolerate disrespect, and I respect my fans. I will reschedule this show because they have disrespected both me and Afrobeats by treating you guys like this,” Rema stated before walking away from the stage.
Although his decision may have disappointed the hundreds of eager fans who came to see him perform, they would undoubtedly appreciate the value he places on his stagecraft and his determination to always give his fans the best experience.
Rema’s popularity has soared following the incredible success of ‘Calm Down,’ which topped charts on multiple continents and garnered him millions of new listeners. He holds several impressive records, including having the highest number of monthly listeners for a Nigerian artist on Spotify, the most-streamed Afrobeats song on Spotify, the most-watched Nigerian music video on YouTube, being the first Nigerian to top charts in North Africa and the Middle East, and having the highest-charting Nigerian song on the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard.
Given these remarkable achievements, it comes as no surprise that Rema holds his craft to such high standards, ensuring that his performances are nothing short of exceptional for his devoted fanbase.
