REMA OPENS UP ABOUT THE REAL REASON BEHIND SMOKING

July 11, 2025

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By: Muftau Fatimo

Nigerian singer and songwriter Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has opened up about the reasons behind his change in appearance and decision to start smoking.

Taking to his X handle on Thursday to mark the first anniversary of his sophomore album HEIS, Rema reflected on the deeper meaning behind his physical transformation and artistic direction.

He revealed that the rebrand — including changes to his look, smoking habit, and overall aesthetic — was a symbolic buildup to the release of HEIS, and not a reflection of a personal identity shift.

“HEIS, the Anniversary. I shared surface-level reasons behind this project during interviews, but here are some ‘symbolic’ elements that truly captured the energy of the album, he wrote. “Consider this an author’s note. The cover was inspired by Itachi from Naruto — the truth masked as illusion, and love hidden beneath what many saw as betrayal (change in sound, smoking, appearance, and color choices).”

Rema clarified that while his outward image may have evolved, his core personality remains unchanged.

“Did I just crack a matrix code there? Is HEIS just a phase, or is it my true self?” he wrote.

Rema, who initially gained attention with his signature mask and teddy bear persona, began his music career with songs centered around themes of love and heartbreak.