Rema Is The Latest African Export From Benin City, Nigeria’s Cultural Hub.

One of the most exciting acts to grace the stage at the Planet AFROPUNK Live Experience in Miami’s Overtown, is Rema, the 21 Year Old AFROWAVE artist from Nigeria. Rema is the latest rising star from the country that has consistently introduced amazing talent that has ushered a new sound, such as Burna Boy, Tems, Wizkid and many others. For decades we’ve seen how the West has been directly influenced by African culture, cultivating and commercializing concepts that are part of everyday life for people in the continent. Today we turn our gaze to Benin City in Nigeria, Rema’s birthplace.

Situated in Edo State, Southern part of Nigeria, BeninCity has been dubbed “The heartbeat of the nation” and has produced world renowned musicians, footballers, film directors and so on. Benin’s history spans over centuries as a grand city governed by its King, prospering in tech, agriculture and politics. Benin City is one of the first cities in the world to have a semblance of street lighting. Formerly known as Benin Kingdom, the city is one of the most ancient in the whole of Africa, famous for one of the largest single archaeological phenomenon in the world, the Benin Moat which is said to have been four times longer than the Great Wall Of China. However, today this great structure has been reduced to a fragment of what it was, serving as a reminder that Benin City was once a Kingdom revered by many. 

Similar to Overtown,  the city where Rema will be performing, Benin City is now focused on rebuilding its economy through their rich heritage, arts & culture, and tourism. Locals take pride in their city and are waiting and willing to share their city’s legacy with eager visitors.