Afrobeats superstar Davido has identified Asake, Rema and Omah Lay as the male artistes he believes are best positioned to become the next generation of stars in Nigerian music.
The award-winning singer made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on a Twitch livestream hosted by comedian and content creator Carter Efe.
Clips from the conversation have since gained widespread attention across social media platforms.
Responding to a question about who he considers the next “greatest of all time” in the Nigerian music industry, Davido pointed to the trio’s consistency, artistic growth, and global reach.
“Right now, for me, I say between Asake, Omah Lay or Rema. They have done exceptionally well,” he said.
Davido clarified that his comments were focused specifically on male artistes, while acknowledging the significant impact of female Afrobeats stars. He referenced the achievements of artistes such as Tems and Ayra Starr, noting that their success continues to shape the industry, but stressed that his assessment centred on the male category.
“Obviously, we have Tems, Ayra Starr, and others. I’m talking about the males. Those three are really killing it,” he said.
Speaking further, Davido expressed admiration for each of the artistes, describing them as hardworking and deserving of their success. He highlighted their individual strengths and the respect they command within the industry.
“Omah Lay is my brother. I have so much love for Rema, and the same for Asake. They are all doing amazingly well,” he said.
The singer also drew attention to their growing international recognition, describing their presence on global stages as evidence of Afrobeats’ expanding influence. According to him, seeing Nigerian artistes perform and gain acceptance abroad underscores the difficulty of breaking into international markets.
“Especially, globally, it’s amazing to be in America and see them performing and being embraced. It’s not easy,” he added.
Davido, who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Afrobeats, has consistently spoken about legacy, longevity and the importance of global impact.
His comments came at a time when Nigerian music continues to experience unprecedented international success, with artistes dominating global charts, headlining major festivals and earning recognition at prestigious award ceremonies.
Debates around who qualifies as the “greatest of all time” remain common within Afrobeats circles, particularly as the genre evolves and reaches new audiences worldwide.
As younger artistes push creative boundaries and achieve global milestones, discussions have increasingly shifted towards identifying those who could define the next era of Nigerian music.
With Asake, Rema and Omah Lay all enjoying strong international followings, chart success and sold-out shows across multiple continents, Davido’s endorsement is likely to further fuel conversations about the future leadership of Afrobeats on the world stage.
