Singer Rema Discusses His Decision to Start Smoking

Rema started smoking as a means to cope with the pressures of adulthood and to reclaim a sense of youthfulness following the loss of his father.

Summary

• Rema, the talented Nigerian singer and songwriter, discusses his decision to start smoking in a recent interview.
• Following the death of his father, Rema felt the burden of responsibility to support his family, which led him to “sell” his youth.
• He expresses a desire to feel youthful again, stating, “I really wanted to feel like a child again.
• Rema talks about how quickly he aged because of fame. The pressure from being famous made him feel older fast. He had to attend many meetings. He also had to take on many adult responsibilities.
• He wants to embrace a more carefree attitude. This means he doesn’t want to worry as much about mistakes. These are the kinds of mistakes that people usually make when they are teenagers. He wants to remind everyone that he is still young. He is only 24 years old.
• The artist says his life has been too planned and structured. This makes him feel tired. He now wants to rebel against this structured life.
• Rema mentions that his project, “HeIs,” reflects his wish to recapture his youthful spirit without the constraint of expectations.

Rema’s Journey: From Early Maturity to Rebellion

Divine Ikubor, better known by his stage name Rema, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who has captured the hearts of fans worldwide with his unique sound and catchy hits like “Beamer” and “Ozeba.” However, beneath the surface of his success lies a story of personal struggle and emotional turmoil that has recently come to light in an interview with GRM.

Rema’s journey to fame was not without its challenges. At a young age, he was thrust into a position of responsibility that most teenagers could not imagine. The death of his father and brother forced him to take on the role of the family provider, a burden that weighed heavily on his shoulders. In the interview, Rema candidly shared how this experience made him feel like he had to “sell” his youth to support his family.

“When I lost my dad and my brother, my whole world changed. It was like a weight was on my back, and I had to sell my youth to support my family.”

Rema’s rise to fame was very quick. He had hits like “Dumebi” and “Iron Man.” These songs made him one of the top figures in Nigerian music. People all around the world noticed him. He gained many fans fast. But with this quick fame, Rema had to grow up quickly. He wasn’t fully ready for it.

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

The transition from a relatively unknown artist to a global sensation brought with it a host of responsibilities and expectations. Rema found himself constantly surrounded by adults, attending meetings, and making decisions that would shape his career and future. This relentless focus on his professional life left little time for him to enjoy the simple pleasures of youth, further reinforcing his feelings of having “sold” his childhood.

In the interview, Rema opened up about his recent decision to start smoking, a habit that has raised concerns among his fans and the public. For Rema, smoking is not just a rebellious act but a way to reconnect with the youthful spirit he feels he lost along the way.

“I really wanted to feel like a child again. It seems like I grew up too quickly.”

Rema’s decision to start smoking is also tied to his desire to break free from the expectations that come with fame. As a public figure, Rema is constantly under scrutiny, with his every move being watched and judged by fans, the media, and industry insiders. This pressure to maintain a certain image can be suffocating, leading him to seek moments of rebellion where he can feel free to make mistakes without fear of judgment.

“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 feels so planned and scheduled. I just got tired.”

For Rema, smoking is a way to rebel against the image people have made for him. It’s his way to show that he has control over his life. Even small acts like smoking help him feel independent. Smoking lets Rema challenge the idea that he has to be perfect all the time. It reminds everyone that he is still young with his own wishes and problems.

Competing with the Big 3

In addition to discussing his personal struggles, Rema also touched on the competitive nature of the music industry, particularly in comparison to the Big 3 in Afrobeats—Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy. These three artists have dominated the Afrobeats scene for years, setting a high bar for success and influence. For emerging artists like Rema, the pressure to compete with these industry giants can be overwhelming.

Rema talks on competing with the Big 3 on GRM Daily.

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— T.U.E (@TheUpperEnt) August 7, 2024

While Rema has achieved remarkable success in his own right, he is acutely aware of the challenges that come with maintaining his position in the industry. The constant need to innovate, stay relevant, and outperform his peers can create a sense of constant pressure and competition. This environment can be both motivating and exhausting, as artists strive to prove themselves in a highly competitive landscape.

Table 1: Timeline of Rema’s Career Milestones

Table 2: Comparison of Rema and the Big 3 in Afrobeats

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#Rema, #SmokingDecision, #NigerianMusic, #Afrobeats, #Youth, #FameStruggles, #MusicIndustry, #Rebellion, #MentalHealth, #Big3