I want to be a rebel, break some laws—Rema

Afrobeats sensation Rema has spoken about his decision to embrace a more rebellious side, attributing it to a deep desire to reclaim the freedom he lost during his formative years.

In a revealing interview with GRMDaily, the “Ozeba” singer explained how the untimely deaths of his father and brother forced him to grow up too quickly, leaving him yearning for the carefree days of childhood.

Reflecting on this, Rema, now 24, shared: “I just want to be a child again, and it’s coming out. This isn’t something I’m forcing; it just sparked my spirit.”

He went on to explain that the pressures of fame have robbed him of the chance to make the same mistakes as his peers without facing harsh criticism.

“You know, kids make mistakes, and it’s acceptable. But when you’re 19 or 20 and famous, and you make the same mistake a regular 19-year-old would make, everybody comes for you,” Rema said.

“They act like, because you’re in the limelight, you’re not supposed to make that kind of mistake. Why? I’m still a kid!”

The artiste also delved into his decision to start smoking cigarettes, a choice he sees as an act of rebellion against the meticulously planned life he’s been living.

“All my life just feels so planned right now; there’s just so much scheduled, and I got tired,” he admitted.

“I smoke a cigarette because I just want to feel free. I want to be a rebel and break some rules.”

Rema expressed that this desire for freedom and spontaneity has also found its way into his music, serving as an outlet for the emotions he’s been holding back.

“I just want to live without feeling so controlled,” he said.

“I’m putting that freedom in my music, too. It’s my way of rebelling against the expectations that have been placed on me.”