What better city to celebrate new music in than New York City. On August 6th, over 1,000 fans packed Club Musica in Manhattan to celebrate the release of Nigerian artist Rema’s highly anticipated album HEIS. With a growing number of Afrobeats artists, DJs and fans, New York City has long been a hub for the burgeoning genre and Rema’s party was yet another testament to the city’s position as a global hub for Afrobeats.
As an international voice for the genre, it’s no surprise that the Calm Down singer’s audience showed up in numbers. Fans not only filled the venue but so did some surprise celebrity faces. The event drew Country rising star Shaboozey and New York rapper A$AP Ferg, who treated the crowd to a performance of song Plain Jane. Other famed guests included model Emily Ratajkowski and Afrobeats superstar Wande Coal who played a live rendition of his hit song Iskaba. DJs Moma, Mahogony, and Brandon kept the dance floor pumping throughout the night as fans danced and sang along to their favourite tracks. Through his growing platform, Rema is both popularising the sound of Nigeria and cementing his status as a rising force in the global Afrobeats scene.
photography. Jenna Murray
words. Shivani Somaiya
