Just when you think the longstanding rivalry between Nigerian music heavyweights Davido and Wizkid has simmered down, a new party inserts itself. The party is none other than rising Afrobeats star Rema.
Going on X, the Mavin Records signee boldly declared himself as the fourth member of the newly renamed “Big 4” of Nigerian music. The “Big 3” designation has long been reserved for Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy. A nod to their mainstream dominance, massive hits, and undeniable influence over the past decade.
But Rema’s recent proclamation suggests a reshuffling of the established hierarchy is afoot. “No more Big 3, there’s now a Big 4,” he tweeted.
Rema made his comments following the latest eruption in the volatile Davido-Wizkid cold war that has simmered for years. The new blowup kicked off when Wizkid appeared to mock Davido by sharing a leaked video depicting the “Fall” singer in a…..” compromising position”.
Davido, never one to take insults lightly, immediately fired back with his own post.
“That’s what I thought…Nothing to say, exactly why I stopped wasting my clout on someone whose career was resurrected a few years ago just to die again,” he taunted.
Trading insults about career relevancy and hit-making abilities is just a classic move for Davido and Wizkid. Two alpha egos, unwilling to cede ground. Wizkid insisted Davido and his camp held no musical superiority, while OBO doubled down by claiming, “I have hits, he doesn’t.”
Now, back to Rema. The 22-year-old phenom also appeared to throw shade at the “Afro-anything” genre classification that Wizkid, Burna and Fireboy espouse. “Afrobeat >> AfroAnything,” he asserted.
While his outburst has definitely been controversial, it has also generated a debate about his positioning among Nigeria’s elite stars.
Does he truly belong in the “Big 4” conversation alongside giants like Wizkid, Burna and Davido? Or is this premature self-endorsement from an artist still reaching his prime?
The consensus is split. However, what’s inarguable is that Rema has been on a successful trajectory, especially since he dropped his hit song “Calm Down” featuring Selena Gomez two years ago.
