Rema proves his worth in his every delivery, striving to peak with an unseen level of creativity and versatility. This has been made evident again with the release of his latest project and sophomore music album “HEIS” which dropped on Friday, July 11, 2024.
The album release was preceded by a highly anticipated collaboration between the Afrorave superstar and Plutomania record label owner Shallipopi, who gave an impressive assist in the number “Benin Boys” – a single which debuted at No. 13 on Billboard‘s U.S. Afrobeat’s Songs chart in the first week of July.
“Benin Boys,” placed on the 5th position in Rema’s HEIS album also topped several charts across the African continent and beyond, positioning the Benin bred artists as some of the most successful exports from the ancient city of Benin, Nigeria, where it is believed that a significant number of the best Nigerian musical talents emanate from.
Following a successful release, Rema, otherwise known originally as Divine Ikubor, set another stepping stone for the HEIS album release with another single, “HEHEHE” which has also driven the numbers at a very fast pace while sitting on the third spot of the 11-track album.
HEHEHE specifically draws a lot of attention to the young superstar whose style of music seems to be constantly evolving from the norms of a regular afrobeat artiste to what many may consider a lot more complex than what was gradually being accepted as “Afro-rave” – a genre he introduced and described as his signature.
Rema first came to limelight in 2018 after his freestyle to industry veteran D’Prince’s “Gucci Gang” went viral on Instagram, gaining traction for the then teen rapper, singer and songwriter. He was eventually flown to Lagos from Benin City by D’Prince who offered him a record deal under the auspices of his own record label Jonzing World, in partnership with the Don Jazzy-led Mavin Records.
The singer, having undergone rigorous strains of fine–tunning his craft, was introduced to the world with the release of a smashing hit-single “Dumebi” in 2019. His subsequent releases including “Iron man” which portrayed him as one with a billion-dollar potential saw him climb the Headies Award stage in 2019 to accept the ‘Next Rated’ award.
Receiving the award, the afro rave pioneer left the audience with a statement that resonated deeply. He said, “One love, respect. I am the future”. At the time, it felt like a bold prophecy from a nascent artiste, yet it was clear he was more than confident in his destined path.
A few years have passed and the then teen artist, now 24, has achieved a lot in the industry and his sophomore album is another testament to this assertion.
Independent of the success of his previously released album “Raves and Roses” in 2023, its ultra version in 2023 and his 2023 EP “Ravage,” Rema’s “HEIS” album unveils the multifaceted layers of his sound, perfecting the balance needed to connect with both his home audience and the new markets his music has reached.
His collaboration with Nigerian hip hop artist Odumodublvck on track 8, “War Machine,” underpins his resolve to blend rare colours that create an even rarer palette and cementing himself as the vanguard of Afro-Rave while dishing out music that differ seamlessly from the traditional Afropop culture.
Through the lyrics embedded in the lyrics of his 11-track and 27 minutes long album, Rema spotlights various themes of self-affirmation, especially in the opening track, as well as the sixth, “March Am” and “HEIS,” depicting a braggadocious declaration that he has come to stay.
In the ninth track “Egungun,” Rema spotlights a quest for financial success, after which he delivers a melodic rendition in the tenth track “Villain” and sums it all up with a sense of introspection on the eleventh track, “Now I Know” in which he captures his journey of growth and the support and “bromance” he enjoyed from his label-mate and friend, Crayon during challenging times.
“Keep my guy Crayon safe for me, na ‘em I tell Solo”.
Meanwhile, Rema’s album title “HEIS” is a Greek term that translates to ‘number one’ – a braggadocio he exudes as an artiste with much to prove. And no doubt, upon listening, the album sets at a position beyond measure at a very young age. Perhaps, he was never wrong when he confidently said that he was the future.
