We see Afrobeats icon Rema shatter another streaming ceiling, cementing his status as a global phenomenon. His contemporary, Davido, released his much-anticipated fifth studio album, a complex project dissecting his own growth. At the same time, veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem returned to the forefront. He did not return with a new hit, but with a scathing political critique. That critique has now escalated into a national debate on censorship and free speech, drawing condemnation from even Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.

Rema’s Reign: A New Streaming Milestone

The celebration began with Divine Ikubor, known worldwide as Rema. Specifically, the 24-year-old artist has officially transcended stardom. He is now an architect of Afrobeats’ global dominance. Fresh reports confirmed that Rema has surpassed an astounding five billion career streams on Spotify. This monumental figure makes him only the second African artist in history to achieve this milestone. He now joins an elite category previously occupied solely by Burna Boy.

This achievement follows the news from August that Rema debut album, ‘Rave & Roses (Ultra version)’, became the first African project ever to cross three billion streams on the platform. The engine behind this unprecedented success remains the remix of his global smash, “Calm Down,” featuring Selena Gomez. That single track alone accounts for over 1.6 billion streams. It shattered records by peaking at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also dominated the Billboard Afrobeats chart for a staggering 58 weeks. While “Calm Down” built the empire, Rema proves he is no one-hit wonder. His 2024 album, ‘Heis’, continues to perform strongly. His 2025 singles like “Who’s Dat Girl” and “FUN” also command top spots on streaming charts within Nigeria. Rema’s rise is a testament to a new generation of African artists who are not just participating in the global music conversation but are actively leading it.

Davido’s ‘5ive’: Commercial Hit, Critical Divide

As one giant celebrates his streaming kingdom, another, David ‘Davido’ Adeleke, unveiled his new body of work. Davido released his fifth studio album, ‘5ive’, on April 18, 2025, to massive anticipation. It follows his Grammy-nominated 2023 album ‘Timeless’. ‘5ive’ was presented as a deeply personal project, recorded over two years in Lagos, London, and Los Angeles. In fact, Davido himself described it as “straight from the heart — my story, my truth, my growth.” The 17-track album arrived with an impressive roster of collaborations. It blended Nigeria’s finest, like Omah Lay and Odumodublvck, with international heavyweights, including Chris Brown and Victoria Monét. The commercial reception was immediate and powerful. ‘5ive’ debuted at number one on Nigeria’s TurnTable album chart. It also cracked the UK’s main album chart at number seven and hit number two on the US World Albums chart.

However, the critical reception painted a more complicated picture. Many praised the album’s sonic diversity and polished production. Yet, some critics found the project lacking in the very “growth” it promised. Reviews noted that despite high points, such as the introspective track “Anything,” the album often felt “listless” and “undercooked.” Furthermore, some critics argued that Davido was clinging to familiar themes without breaking new ground. One review labeled the Chris Brown-assisted “Titanium” as “rote and unimaginative.” ‘5ive’, therefore, stands as a commercial titan that has left critics divided on its artistic legacy.

Eedris’s Fury: A Political Critique Ignites

While the Afrobeats titans tallied their streams, a different kind of firestorm was brewing. Instead, the conversation shifted from global accolades to grim domestic realities. Eedris Abdulkareem, a rapper whose career was built on challenging the state, was the cause. The controversy ignited when Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, declared at an event that his father is the “greatest president in the history of Nigeria.” The comment sparked outrage, coming amidst crippling economic hardship and widespread insecurity. Rema

Abdulkareem seized on the moment, appearing on Channels Television’s “Rubbin’ Minds” program. His retort was direct and blistering. “Tinubu is the best father to Seyi,” Abdulkareem stated, “but he is the worst president of Nigeria.” He challenged the president’s son’s credibility, stating he lacked the “charisma and purpose” to address Nigerians. “Nigerian youths don’t have jobs and are talk less of food to eat,” Abdulkareem declared. He then issued a pointed challenge: “Let Seyi travel by road without security — let him feel what Nigerians are going through.”

The ‘Tell Your Papa’ Ban

Subsequently, the television appearance was, it turned out, a prelude. Abdulkareem revealed that Seyi’s comments had inspired him to record a new song titled “Tell Your Papa.” The track is a raw piece of social commentary, recycling the spirit of his banned 2004 classic, “Nigeria Jaga Jaga.” In the new song, Abdulkareem’s lyrics are blunt: “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die.” The response from the government was swift and severe. On April 9, 2025, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) issued a directive banning “Tell Your Papa” from the nation’s airwaves. The commission classified the song as “Not To Be Broadcast” (NTBB), citing its “objectionable nature.”

This act of censorship, however, appears to have backfired spectacularly. Abdulkareem immediately lashed out. He labeled the Tinubu administration as “one of the most insensitive, vindictive, and grossly maleficent ever.” The ban was also publicly faulted by the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN). Its president, Pretty Okafor, called the NBC’s move a “major mistake” that would only “make the song even go viral.” Okafor added, “The song is telling us the truth, and there is nothing wrong with that song.”

A Nation of Contrasts

Finally, the debate escalated significantly when Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka weighed in. He condemned the ban in no uncertain terms. Soyinka described the government’s action as a disturbing “return to censorship” and a clear “threat to free speech.” This incident has transformed a rapper’s critique into a national flashpoint. This week, Nigeria stands perfectly encapsulated by these three stories: a nation exporting its culture at a record-breaking pace, exemplified by Rema’s five billion streams, while simultaneously struggling with a profound internal crisis. The global applause for Afrobeats’s finest feels distant against the backdrop of a government banning a song that dares to say “people dey die.”