Rema is spreading the sound of Afrobeats to the world. As music from across the African diaspora climbs international charts, his unique sound has made its mark on the movement. “The way that my sound has evolved is not something that can be explained. It’s something that can be heard,” he tells us for his Schön! 47 digital cover story while on tour in Australia. From his first breakout hit Dumebi in 2019 to the sensation of his 2022 song Calm Down, featuring Selena Gomez on the remix, and his latest album HEIS, which was released this summer, Rema shows no signs of slowing down.
Rema’s roots lie in Benin City, Nigeria, and inform every fibre of his artistry. “Edo State shaped me in most aspects of my being,” he explains, “from the music, manner of speech, mindset, behavioural traits, just the way I see life in general… my taste in art as well.” Nowhere is this clearer than the visual world of his HEIS era with its darker dominant energy: “It’s just me embracing my growth,” he elaborates. “It’s me feeling comfortable within this music like a snake shedding off the old skin and being comfortable in the new skin. In terms of what message it sends, I think that’s a fan question because, from their perspective, they might get a whole other meaning, either good or bad. For me, it’s just being comfortable in my skin.”
Contributing to the surge in Afrobeats’ international popularity is an impressive badge of honour, but what Rema says he’s really proud of is “being able to give people joy, happiness, peace and escape through my art”. Although only in the early stages of his career, he’s already crafted a signature sound that fulfils his creative desires. His passion represents one of the many beauties of creative expression: ikigai. The Japanese word translates to living with purpose and it’s a concept that Rema is lucky enough to live out daily. “What excites me when I wake up is that I’m alive, that I get to see the people that I love and care about,” he says. “I get to achieve my purpose. I get to create art. I get to see all the gems that God has invested in my soul come out of me. It’s exciting to see every new day.”
jacket. Avirex
shirt. Polo Ralph Lauren
trousers. Brandon Vargas
shoes. Rick Owens
opposite
jacket. Sp5der
top. Rick Owens
shorts. Rhude
boots. Y/Project
earrings. GRISÉ NYC
necklace. Loree Rodkin
wallet chains. Amigaz
coat. Moncler x Rick Owens
hat + scarf. Alexander Digenova
jewellery. A Jewellers
opposite
jacket. 14th Addiction @ Jubilee Archive
top. Rick Owens
watch. Rolex
HEIS is out now on Mavin Records, Jonzing World and Interscope Records.
