The Mavin star beat competition from other Afrobeats heavyweights such as Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Fire Boy, Ayra Starr and Labianca to emerge winners in the category.

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 12: Rema accepts the Best Afrobeats award for “Calm Down” onstage during the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV/AFP (Photo by Noam Galai / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

The Federal Government has hailed Afrobeats star Rema for winning the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) for “Best Afrobeats” in his duet with Selena Gomez, “Calm Down.”

The Mavin Records prodigy, whose real name is Divine Ikubor, won the prize for Best Afrobeats, a new category, for his remixed single “Calm Down” featuring Selena in Tuesday’s 2023 MTV VMA in New Jersey, USA.

Days after the feat, the Presidency took to its X page to laud Rema saying the award is a reflection of the “true Nigerian spirit”.

“Congratulations to Nigeria’s very own – Rema. Such an amazing acceptance speech!” the Thursday statement read.

“Rema, his talent knows no bounds, and his music resonates with audiences worldwide. From Benin City to the VMA stage, Rema’s journey continues to be a testament to dedication, passion, and the true Nigerian spirit.”

The Mavin star beat other Afrobeats heavyweights such as Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Fire Boy, Ayra Starr, and Labianca to emerge as the winner in the category.

“Calm Down” is the first song from an African artist to cross over a billion streams on Spotify.

In 2022, Selena and Rema’s collaboration on the smash song “Calm Down” made
the Billboard Top 100.