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Rema Reflects on First Anniversary of HEIS, Shares Hidden Symbolism Behind Album
As HEIS clocks one year since its release on July 10, 2025, Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Rema is offering fans a deeper look into the creative process and personal symbolism behind his acclaimed sophomore album.
In a reflective series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) tagged “Author’s Notes,” the Calm Down hitmaker peeled back the layers of HEIS, revealing a more profound artistic and spiritual intention than previously disclosed.
Rema noted that while he initially promoted the project as an effort to reconnect Afrobeats with its roots, the album was also shaped by personal milestones, subtle symbolism, and a desire to be misunderstood, at least at first.
HEIS, the Anniversary.
I expressed a lot of surface level reasons why I released this project over a course of interviews when it came out but, here are few “SYMBOLIC” details that wrap around the ENERGY of the project I kept for myself but now, I’d like to share.
Consider… pic.twitter.com/xvLgoRXjMz
— REMA (@heisrema) July 10, 2025
According to the Grammy-nominated artist, HEIS was deliberately released in 2024, the Year of the Dragon in Chinese astrology, a year that also marks his birth year, 2000. He hinted that this connection had long been embedded in his visuals, even dating back to the cover art of Bounce, where the dragon first made a symbolic appearance.
“I was born in a Dragon year, if you know what it is, you’d get a hint of why HEIS needed to happen in 2024,” he wrote. “I hinted the dragon in Bounce cover art (which was the first song I teased the concept of my RAGE).”
I was born in a Dragon year, if you know what it is you’d get a hint of why HEIS needed to happen in 2024. I hinted the dragon in Bounce cover art ( which was the first song I teased the concept of my RAGE )
— REMA (@heisrema) July 10, 2025
Rema further disclosed that he intentionally left breadcrumbs in the cover art of his previous projects, Ravage and Rave & Roses, offering subtle clues to his mental and emotional state leading up to HEIS.
on Ravage cover Art I showed you a brain with a glowing Pineal gland to hint an Awakening, and if you look close there’s a thin layer of hair connected to the brain from a ‘dead man riding a horse’ hinting the journey to resurrection, Divination & Ego death. Other hints are in…
— REMA (@heisrema) July 10, 2025
He also revealed a major creative decision behind the album’s release strategy.
I showed signs from the Artworks leading to Ravage how my innocence ( teddy bear & roses ) was dying. In these covers the Teddy was either found in grave sites, burning , stabbed with arrows, trunks, surrounded with swords etc. the roses were always found burning but I guessed…
— REMA (@heisrema) July 10, 2025
According to him, he insisted that his label refrain from a grand promotional rollout, preferring instead to let HEIS resonate quietly with his most dedicated fans.
“I told the label it never needed a fancy rollout,” Rema explained. “It needed to feel like an underground project from an underground artist. Only the core Ravers can carry this weight… This is for the people who are here for the ‘story’.”
To preserve that rawness, he limited the commercial reach of the project—no CDs, vinyls, or merchandise were made available upon release.
“It didn’t need to feel sold, it needed to be discovered, hated, loved & respected in its own front,” he added.
I told the label It never needed a fancy roll out , it needed to feel like an underground project from an underground Artist only the core Ravers can carry this weight. it was not for surface level supporters here for the ‘good time’ I know how well they switch up when you don’t…
— REMA (@heisrema) July 10, 2025
The singer also shared that he co-produced several tracks on the project, citing the need to express certain emotions that couldn’t be captured through lyrics alone.
I co-produced on almost every song on HEIS. there were emotions lyrics could not help me convey. Hence why I was nominated for producer categories in some awards last year.
— REMA (@heisrema) July 10, 2025
Despite its divisive nature among casual listeners, HEIS garnered widespread acclaim within industry circles and among core fans. Its bold soundscape helped reshape the dancehall direction of Afrobeats and earned Rema a Grammy nomination for Best Global Album. The album also went on to win Album of the Year at the 17th Headies Awards.
One year on, HEIS stands not only as a musical achievement but also as a deeply personal chapter in Rema’s artistic evolution—one that continues to inspire conversation, curiosity, and cult-like appreciation.