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Rema Defends Self-Confidence, Says It Shouldn’t Be Mistaken for Arrogance
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has addressed criticism surrounding his recent assertion that he ranks among the greatest in the genre, insisting that confidence should not be mistaken for arrogance.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the Calm Down hitmaker explained that his self-belief is rooted in years of hard work and dedication to his craft.
He questioned why people find it problematic when an artist acknowledges their own success, emphasizing that self-confidence is a positive trait.
“So on Heis, I was talking a lot of st. It is not cocky. It is like, what stops you from saying you’re the best? You can say it and stand your ground. It is even humble to say four,” Rema stated.
The 24-year-old singer also drew a comparison to rapper Kendrick Lamar’s recent diss track, noting that while Lamar boldly declared “It’s just big me,” he was not trying to diminish others in the Afrobeats space. Instead, he emphasized his belief in unity within the industry.
“I didn’t pull down the two, I didn’t pull down the three. I just see myself as one of the greats, and it’s a problem. I’m not saying ‘oh fk everybody.’ I really vouch for the unity of Afrobeats,” he added.
Rema’s comments highlight the ongoing conversation about self-assurance in the music industry, particularly within Afrobeats, where young artists continue to break global records while facing scrutiny for expressing confidence in their achievements.