-
In 50 years time, people will remember my art – Rema
In a recent interview with Apple Music Africa Now Radio, Nigerian superstar Rema discussed his approach to evolving his sound and creating art that would endure for decades. Rema, who experienced international commercial success in 2023, shared insights into his artistic process.
During the conversation with host Nandi Madiba, Rema expressed that music is more like a calling for him than a process of combining elements.
He described tapping into his internal self to create art and mentioned that he sees himself as a vessel chosen to leave a lasting mark on the world. Rema’s perspective highlights the deep and personal connection he has with his craft, emphasizing a sense of purpose and longevity in his approach to making music.
“When you’re blessed with a gift, it’s beyond making it seem logical. To me, it’s more like a spirit thing, it’s not like a brain thing, and it’s not like a thought process. There’s nothing I needed to study to be able to get others to tap in with me. I was just tapping in with myself, and if others follow me? Great. If they don’t? Great. I’d say for me it’s mostly internal, when I hear the voice in my head it’s leading me and I feel like a vessel, to leave a mark in the world. It’s like I’m chosen for it so whether or not I try to run away from it, it’s just what it is.”
Rema is famous for his avant-garde art choices that cut across his visuals and fashion style. Rema shares that he enjoys working with other creatives to bring crazy ideas to life. For Rema, his art is one he crates with the intentionality for it to not only resonate with his followers but also endure for decades.
“I’m supportive of creatives. You see all these great things that have to do with my storytelling, my journey, my branding, my visuals, my photos. I’m not the one taking the photos, I’m not the one shooting the videos, I’m not the one doing all of that they’re just young youths waiting for someone to invest in them, to bring out their crazy ideas, right? That’s what I live for, I live for investing in the youth. It’s beyond musicians, it’s beyond my peers and colleagues. Everyone wants to create, I feel like a lot of creatives have a place in my journey, so I do as best as possible to reinvest in my career, and in myself. I’m not just here because I want to drop a banger, make some money, and live a flashy life. In 50 years to come, people are going to trace a lot of things back to me – songs back to me, fashion style back to me, visuals back to me, a whole bunch. I want to be able to touch all areas of life, but music is like the first rocket. When it detaches, it goes to wherever it needs to go.”
Rema is making a significant impact in the global music industry as he continues to rise to international fame. Following the success of his smash hit single “Calm Down” with Selena Gomez, the Nigerian artist achieved a landmark feat by becoming the youngest African artist to sell out the O2 Arena. This accomplishment underscores his growing influence on the global stage.
Furthermore, Rema’s latest EP, “RAVAGE,” serves as a testament to his ascension to global superstar status, solidifying his position as a key player in the future of the music industry. The EP showcases his versatility and artistry, contributing to his success and recognition on a global scale.