Afrobeats sensation Divine Ikubor, known professionally as Rema, has shed light on the profound personal struggles that have influenced his life choices, including his recent decision to start smoking.
Speaking candidly with GRM, the 24-year-old artist opened up about how the tragic loss of his father at a young age dramatically altered his life and led him to seek solace in unexpected ways.
Rema, renowned for his hit single “Calm Down,” recounted how the death of his father thrust him into the role of a family provider at a tender age.
This sudden shift in responsibilities, he revealed, forced him to relinquish his childhood and navigate adulthood far sooner than most of his peers.
“I really wanted to feel like a child again,” Rema admitted during the interview. “I feel like I grew up too fast. Life switched up on me crazy when I lost my dad and my brother.
“The weight was just on my shoulder and forced me to sell my childhood to provide for my family.”
The loss and subsequent pressure to support his family contributed to a rapid transition from adolescence to adulthood.
This accelerated maturity came with its own set of challenges, including a demanding schedule and a sense of disconnection from his peers.
“With fast fame comes fast maturity,” Rema explained. “It’s just like never-ending levels of seriousness. So much adults. So many meetings. I didn’t even roll with my age mates.”
As Rema navigated the complexities of adulthood and fame, he began to yearn for a return to the freedom and spontaneity of youth.
This longing for a simpler time led him to explore new avenues of self-expression, including smoking—a decision that has sparked significant public attention and criticism.
“I just want to be a child,” Rema said. “And it’s coming out. It’s not me forcing it out. It just sparked in my spirit. I just want to feel young again. I just want to be a rebel.”
The artist expressed frustration over the scrutiny he faces due to his celebrity status.
Despite starting to smoke at 24, an age considered relatively late for such a habit, Rema feels that his actions are unfairly judged because of his public profile.
“I know people who smoked a cigarette when they were 13,” he said. “I’m 24 smoking a cigarette because I just want to feel free and break some rules. All my life just feels so planned and scheduled. I just got tired.”
Rema’s decision to embrace smoking as a form of rebellion highlights the complex relationship between personal freedom and public expectation.
For many young celebrities, the pressure to maintain a certain image while grappling with personal desires can be overwhelming.
Rema’s attempt to reclaim a sense of freedom and rebellion reflects a broader struggle faced by many who achieve fame at a young age.
The artist’s new project, “HeIs,” is a reflection of his desire to reconnect with his youthful self. “This project is a way for me to express my inner child,” Rema said. “It’s about exploring that side of myself that I had to suppress while growing up too fast.”
