The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards were held on Tuesday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, USA, and featured sensational Nigerian singer Divine Ikubor, better known by her stage name Rema, as the first-ever winner of the "Best Afrobeats Song" category.

Rema beat out fellow Nigerians Wizkid's "2 Sugar," Burna Boy's "It is Plenty," Fireboy and Asake's "Bandana," Davido's "Unavailable," Ayra Starr's "Rush," and Cameroonian singer Libianca's "People" to become the first-ever winner of the newly established "Best Afrobeats Song" category.

Rema was accompanied to the stage by Selena Gomez to receive his award.

With the spotlight firmly on him, the 21-year-old crooner dedicated his laurel to afrobeat pioneers and legends.

“I want to give big thanks to my fans. I want to give big thanks to my team. Big shoutout to Selena [Gomez]. I want to say I love you from the bottom of my heart.

“This [award] means so much—seeing afrobeats grow and being on this stage representing afrobeats tonight. I’m so happy. But one thing I will not forget to do this night is to shout out the people who opened the door for me.

“Big shoutout to Fela, who started afrobeats, 2Baba, Don Jazzy, D’banj, D’Prince, Runtown, Timaya, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido for opening the door for us, the new generation of Afrobeats,” Rema said.