Divine “Rema” Ikubor, a talented Nigerian singer, has addressed his decision to change up the Afrobeats sound on his recently released sophomore album, ‘He Is.’
The ‘Calm Down’ singer stated that the genre was becoming boring because his colleagues had watered it down, so he needed to give it an upgrade and ensure its relevancy is maintained.
Rema told Apple Music in an interview that Nigerian artists continue to listen to foreigers’ opinions on the music genre, which is influencing their enthusiasm for Afrobeats.
The musician said; “Afrobeats was getting boring so I had to switch it up. They will keep applauding and we will be watering it down until some people start winning our afrobeats awards.
“With the success that has come to Afrobeats, I feel like we are listening to the voices of the world too much, ignoring the voices back home.”At his album listening party in London recently, Rema also called on Nigerian artistes to reclaim their ownership of afrobeats else foreign artistes will recreate it and start winning awards under the genre.
“We have to take our sh*t back, own it and protect it. The more we water it down, we make it easy for them to create it. Until some people start winning Afrobeats awards, we’ll then realize we’ve indirectly sold ourselves,” he stated.
In related news, Popular Nigerian singer, Rema discusses the creative motivation behind his recently released second album, ‘HEIS’.
Since entering the limelight in 2019, Rema has announced himself as one of Nigeria’s most daring and gifted artistes.
This creative bravery is evident in his newly released sophomore album, ‘HEIS,’ on which he used uptempo party-starting production, frantic delivery, and authentic Afrobeats lyricism while embracing Rockstar aesthetics.
Rema stated at his album launch party in London that Afrobeats is becoming dumbed down as a result of the urge to chase globally appealing hits. Rema went on to say that this dumbing down will make it simpler for others to take the sound and recreate it, even winning Afrobeats awards.
“We all know what Afrobeats was like in 2015, and we all have to take our shit back and own it and protect it,” Rema said at the London event.
“Sometimes, we make it and water it down for them to be able to create it,” Rema explains how the global influence on Afrobeats makes it easier for the sound to be recreated by foreign artists.
“You don’t see artists out here in the diaspora making a song like ‘Ozeba,’” Rema stated.
Rema performed songs from his new album ‘HEIS’ at the listening party, which has divided views, with some seeing it as a brave attempt. Others have disagreed on the output’s quality.
