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Tag: Rema

  • Oba of Benin honours Rema with royal plaque

    Oba of Benin honours Rema with royal plaque

    Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has honoured Afrobeats sensation, Rema, with a royal plaque.

    The plague was presented to Rema at Oba Ewure’s palace on Thursday, August 29.

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    The award recognised Rema’s tireless efforts to promote the Benin Kingdom and Edo State through his music.

    Rema, who hails from Benin City, has been a proud ambassador of his hometown, showcasing its rich cultural heritage in his songs.

    The royal plaque came on the heels of Rema’s involvement in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Edo Arena, which is set to be named Rema Dome in his honour.

  • Rema overvalues himself in music industry, Paulo Okoye claims

    Rema overvalues himself in music industry, Paulo Okoye claims

    Music executive, Paulo Okoye, has shared his thoughts on Rema’s current market value, stating that the Afrobeats sensation is overpricing himself.

    In a conversation with Daddy Freeze, Okoye stressed that Rema needs to expand his fan base and perform at more shows to justify his high price tag.

    “Rema is on another level, he’s a Gen Z superstar. He’s our major face of African music. They [Western world] regard Rema the same way they regard American artists.

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    “But the problem with Rema at the moment is overpricing. I think he overpriced himself. He needs to do more shows to build a huge fanbase to earn his price tag.”

    Okoye noted that Rema’s earnings, as well as those of fellow artist Asake, have experienced a decline.

    According to him, both artists used to command fees of $4m and $5m, but their current rates have dropped to $2m and $3m, respectively.

  • Rema speaks on competing with Nigeria’s ‘Big Three’ artists

    Rema speaks on competing with Nigeria’s ‘Big Three’ artists

    Afrobeat singer Rema has expressed his views on competing with Nigeria’s top artists, Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy.

    He said that he doesn’t give much weight to others’ opinions, saying that “these artists weren’t known to him five years ago.”

    In a recent interview with GRM Daily, Rema attributed the competitive narrative to fans, stating that his focus remains on perfecting his craft and preserving the “sport” of lyricism. 

    He likened it to the rivalry between Ronaldo and LeBron, where competition exists on the field but not beyond it.

    Rema said: “I do not want to praise myself. Everyone who has met me has been super respectful. In the game, people act crazy. It is okay to take bullsh*t or overlook,” he said.

    Read Also: Rema addresses rumoured $3million Indian wedding performance fee

    “We are all human beings. But one thing I always want. I always tell my boys that five years ago, I did not know these dudes. My colleagues literally. So why would they be my priority? Why would I wake up and say this move I am about to make will compete with them? Or we go show them? Why would they ever be my priority?

    “It is always the fanbase making it seem like any move we make is competition. But, when I put it in terms of lyricism, I always want to keep the sport going. We have lyrics where Davido will be like ‘I’m bigger than all of them’ or Wizkid’s ‘Dem sey dem bad I swear dem do nothing or eh’. All to keep the sport going. We keep it the Ronaldo, the LeBron way. When we are in the match, it is war, outside of the match, it is love.”

    He confidently declared that he’s now on par with the “Big Three.”

  • Rema addresses rumoured $3million Indian wedding performance fee

    Rema addresses rumoured $3million Indian wedding performance fee

    Sensational singer, Rema, has finally responded to reports that he received a whopping $3 million for performing at the high-profile wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in India.

    In an interview with GRM, Rema confirmed the payment, stating, “Hehehe. That’s what I can say, to be honest. Money-wise, but overall, it was a great treatment. It was beautiful”.

    Rema expressed his love for India and its people, highlighting the significant reception he received during his tour.

    He noted that he’s likely the first afrobeats artist and possibly the first African artist to tour India, emphasising the magnitude of his achievement.

    He said: “I love India. India loves me, too. And it’s just beautiful to see something that people trolled me for, criticised me for. And now, I’m benefiting from that.

    Read Also: Saint Jhn denies Rema’s music influence

    “Imagine if I stopped. Imagine if I actually listened to the trolls online and switched up my sound.

    “Four years later, it paid and still paying and more to come. India is a huge territory. I’m actually the first afrobeats artiste to tour India. I’m even probably the first African if I’m not wrong, but if I’m mistaking, please, forgive me. But it’s a huge deal.

    “It’s not just about the wedding. It’s about the reception everywhere I go. I remember when I was touring India, I didn’t even know how they knew. When I go anywhere just to eat, it’s just paparazzi. It’s crazier than the love in Nigeria.”

  • I grew up too fast, I want to feel like a child again – Rema

    I grew up too fast, I want to feel like a child again – Rema

    Afrobeat singer, Rema, has shared a heart-wrenching account of how his father’s death forced him to grow up too quickly.

    In an interview with GRM, 24-year-old Rema revealed that he had to assume responsibility for his family’s well-being at a tender age, sacrificing his childhood in the process.

    According to him, he longs to “feel young again” and experience the carefree nature of youth.

    It was gathered that Rema recently started smoking cigarettes as a way to break free from the constant seriousness and scrutiny that comes with fame.

    He said despite being an adult, he faces criticism for his decision, highlighting the double standards faced by celebrities.

    He expressed his desire to be a “rebel” and make mistakes without judgment, like his peers.

    Rema said his project, “HeIs,” is an attempt to tap into his youthful spirit and embrace his true self.

    He said: “I really wanted to feel like a child again… I feel like I grew up too fast. Life switched up on me crazy when I lost my dad and my brother. The weight was just on my shoulder and forced me to sell my childhood to provide for my family.

    Read Also: Saint Jhn denies Rema’s music influence

    “God willing, everything happened well, it happened fast. And with fast fame, comes fast maturity. It’s just like never ending level of seriousness. So much adults. So much meetings. I didn’t even rolled with my age mates.

    “So this project [‘HeIs’], I just want to be a child. And it’s coming out. It’s not me forcing it out. It just sparked in my spirit. I just want to feel young again. I just to be a rebel. You know, kids make mistakes and it’s acceptable. But when you’re a teenager and you make the same mistake your peers would make, everyone will come for you just because you’re in the spotlight.

    “I know people who smoked a cigarette when they were 13 and I’m 24 smoking a cigarette because I just want to feel free and break some rules. All my life just feel so planned and scheduled. I just got tired.”

  • Saint Jhn denies Rema’s music influence

    Saint Jhn denies Rema’s music influence

    Guyanese-American singer and rapper, Saint Jhn, has refuted claims that his latest single, “Humble” was heavily influenced by Nigerian afrobeats star, Rema.

    A fan had suggested that Saint Jhn’s new song bore a striking resemblance to Rema’s style, prompting the artist to issue a disclaimer.

    On X, the fan commented, “I hear Rema’s influence on the new Saint Jhn”, Saint Jhn responded, “Nah, he’s dope. But I haven’t heard enough to be influenced.”

    Read Also: Rema’s ‘HEIS’ sets record for biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria

    The artist acknowledged Rema’s talent but clarified that he hadn’t listened to his music extensively enough to be influenced by it.

  • Rema’s ‘HEIS’ sets record for biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria

    Rema’s ‘HEIS’ sets record for biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria

    Rema’s sophomore album, “HEIS”, has made history on Spotify Nigeria with a remarkable 12.3 million streams in its opening week, surpassing Olamide’s “Ikigai” which garnered 7.92 million streams.

    This achievement solidifies Rema’s position as a leading artist in the global exportation of Nigerian music.

    Notably, the album released on July 10, 2024, trails only behind Davido’s “Timeless” which recorded an impressive 14.4 million streams in its opening week.

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    Additionally, Rema’s single “Benin Boys” featuring Shallipopi set a new record for the most first-day streams on Spotify Nigeria.

    The album’s success is further evident in its record-breaking opening day streams and an impressive 1.99 million streams on its second day.

  • How my mother’s daily struggles inspired my success – Rema

    How my mother’s daily struggles inspired my success – Rema

    Afrobeats sensation, Rema, has revealed that poverty and his mother’s struggles drove him to pursue a music career.

    In an interview with Capital Xtra London, Rema shared how his mother’s daily struggles, including the inability to afford transportation, motivated him to succeed.

    Determined to improve their situation, Rema said he worked hard to succeed, saying that as soon as he made money, he prioritized buying a car for his mother.

    He said: “I was tired of my mum trekking every day; she didn’t even have money to transport a bus or bike. So I had to take it to the next level ASAP.

    Read Also: Ayra Starr tags Rema ‘GOAT’, closest colleague

    “The moment I made money, I got her a car ASAP. We went for dinner, then I gave her that car. A lot of boys would go for their own cars first but I was still trekking, but I had to get a car for my mum first.”

    Rema credits his mother’s prayers and support for his success, stating, “She’s a great mum. She’s the reason I’m successful. Her prayers. She’s really proud of me.”

  • Why I switched from Afrobeats, by Rema

    Why I switched from Afrobeats, by Rema

    Afrobeats star Rema has explained his decision to change his sound for his sophomore album, ‘HeIs.’

    He noted that Afrobeats was becoming stale and he felt the need to “switch it up.”

    Rema’s comments came as amapiano, a South African genre, gained significant influence in the Nigerian music industry.

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    In a recent interview with Apple Music, Rema emphasised the importance of preserving Afrobeats’ authenticity, warning that Nigerian artists risk losing their grip on the genre if they continue to dilute it.

    He said: “Afrobeats was getting boring so I had to switch it up. They will keep applauding and we will be watering it down until some people start winning our Afrobeats awards.

    “With the success that has come to Afrobeats, I feel like we are listening to the voices of the world too much, ignoring the voices back home.”

    He urged his colleagues to reclaim ownership and protect afrobeats, warning that watering it down would allow others to claim it.

    At his album listening party in London, Rema reiterated the need for Nigerian artists to take back control of their genre, saying, “We have to take our sh*t back, own it and protect it. The more we water it down, we make it easy for them to create it. Until some people start winning Afrobeats awards, we’ll then realize we’ve indirectly sold ourselves,” he stated.

  • Rema seeks preservation of afrobeats culture

    Rema seeks preservation of afrobeats culture

    Afrobeat singer Rema has stressed the importance of artists maintaining the afrobeats culture to ensure Nigeria’s dominance in the African music scene.

    While acknowledging the popularity of South African amapiano, Rema emphasised the need for Nigerian artists to sustain the afrobeats influence that has made the country a powerhouse in African music.

    In an interview with Apple Music, Rema said he drew inspiration from afrobeats legends like Don Jazzy, Mo’hits, 2Baba, Olamide, P-Square, and Timaya for his sophomore album “HeIs”.

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    He praised the iconic production style of Mo’hits, saying “For the first four seconds, when a Mo’hits’ song comes in, you already know it’s a Mo’hits’ song.”

    Rema further encouraged fellow artists to continue producing high-quality afrobeats music, saying “We need more of that… I don’t want us to go too far away from that. We need to sustain it.”

    “I had to go back [while creating my new album]. I took a lot of inspiration from Mo’hits. For the first four seconds, when a Mo’hits’ song comes in, you already know it’s a Mo’hits’ song. Don Jazzy just goes crazy on the beat.

    “The times when Olamide used to drop crazy songs, he still drops crazy songs. At the time when an Olamide song comes on you still know. P-Square, 2Face or Timaya. There used to be times when the beat just…

    “Amapiano is great, it is fire but there used to be a time when Afrobeats production used to be so insane that nothing can survive it in the clubs in Africa. I’m not saying we’ve lost that but I’m just saying that we need more of that. I don’t want us to go too far away from that. We need to sustain it.”