Rema’s new release ‘Heis’ is taking the Afrobeats scene by storm, bringing fresh energy and innovation. Discover the impact of this hit.
Rema, the Nigerian singer, first gained recognition with his hit Afrobeats song “Dumebi” in the late 2010s when he was a teenager.
The music video for the song depicted a youthful and carefree vibe, with Rema and other stylish teenagers sporting bright casual outfits. Despite his young age, Rema’s voice exuded innocence, even when he used playful language in Yoruba to flirt with a young woman.
As Rema’s career progressed, he released the original version of “Calm Down” a few years later, showcasing his growth as an artist.
The song gained international success when Selena Gomez collaborated on an official remix, propelling Rema to win the MTV Video Music Awards’ Moon Person for Afrobeats. He also became the first African artist to achieve over one billion streams on Spotify with a single track.
Rema’s debut album, Rave & Roses, featured “Calm Down” and highlighted his unique blend of sweet Afrobeats with jazz and dancehall influences.
The album’s aesthetic included colorful cartoons and a teddy bear mascot, adding a playful touch to his music. Despite the sugary elements, Rema’s rise in the Afrobeats scene was marked by a slight edge that set him apart from other artists at the time.
In contrast to his earlier work, Rema’s latest album, Heis, showcases a more mature and moody side of the artist. At 24, he has evolved both musically and visually, with a darker imagery that reflects his growth as an artist.
Despite his success, Rema faced accusations of Satanism after a sold-out show at London’s O2 arena, highlighting the shift in his image and sound towards a more complex and introspective direction.
