Nigerian singer Rema has shared a deeply personal account of his early rise to fame, revealing experiences of exploitation and vulnerability during his teenage years in the music industry.
Rema, born Divine Ikubor, rose to prominence after signing with Mavin Records and releasing his debut EP in 2019 at just 19 years old.
In his new track “Moviestar,” a collaboration with French pianist Sofiane Pamart, the 25-year-old artist reflects on troubling experiences from his early career. Through the song’s lyrics, he suggests that he was exposed to harmful situations, including being drugged by women while still very young.
He also expresses a sense of isolation, noting that fans may not fully grasp his struggles because they are unaware of how early he was thrust into the spotlight.
The song further explores the pressures he faced after signing his record deal, with Rema indicating that expectations to perform and entertain often came without regard for his emotional well-being.