The award-winning 25-year-old Nigerian singer-songwriter and rapper Rema, the star behind the 2022 global hit “Calm Down”, posted a new photo on Instagram on 26 April 2026 that has caused a frenzy.
The excitement isn’t just about the picture itself, but the music accompanying it: a Sudanese song by one of the country’s most popular traditional singers, Eman Elshareef.
The post has already gained over 260,000 likes. The featured track, “Ansuni” (‘Forget Me’), was released in January 2026. It is an upbeat song rooted in traditional Sudanese sounds, centring on themes of self-empowerment, learning from past mistakes, and standing strong while distancing oneself from those who seek to bring you down.
Rema is known to be a fan of Sudanese music, especially its traditional sounds. During a backstage interview with Dazed, the British lifestyle magazine, at Milan Fashion Week (MFW) in early 2025, he was asked which album he had on repeat. Rema simply replied that Sudanese music had dominated his listening throughout the year.
@dazed Rema ❤️ Sudanese music 🇸🇩 #rema #sudan #tiktokfashion #dazedfashiontv #mfw ♬ original sound – dazed
This follows shortly after American electronic music DJ and producer Brunello played a remix of Sudanese artist Connan’s track “Liga” at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on 17 April 2026.
This is a significant milestone, marking the moment Sudanese music commands global stages and reaches international ears. It further highlights the rising visibility and influence of the genre on the world map.
