Afrobeats music star, Divine Ikubor better known as Rema has disclosed that poverty and his mother’s struggles were the driving forces behind his decision to pursue a music career.
In an interview with Capital Xtra London, Rema recounted how his mother struggled to afford transportation for her daily activities, which fueled his determination to succeed.
He said,
“I was tired of my mum trekking every day; she didn’t even have money for transport to use a bus or bike. So I had to take it to the next level ASAP.
“The moment I made money, I got her a car ASAP. We went for dinner, then I gave her that car. A lot of boys would go for their own cars first but I was still trekking, but I had to get a car for my mum first. She’s a great mum. She’s the reason I’m successful. Her prayers. She’s really proud of me.”
In another interview with Mehdi Maïzi, a French journalist specialising in Rap, Rema discussed his approach to dealing with the pressures and criticisms that accompany fame.
Rema emphasized the significance of prayer and seeking guidance, wisdom, and patience from God, as well as the support of trusted mentors and friends in his life.
Mehdi Maïzi asked: “How do you deal with the pressure and critics at such a young age?”
Rema replied: “First off, I would say that I pray a lot. I pray to God and I ask him for his wisdom, guidance, knowledge, and patience, and I am grateful for the people that I have around me.”
He also recognized the meaningful impact of influential figures in his life, such as Don Jazzy and others, who offered genuine support.
“I have some good OG’s around me that I can talk to. Shout out to the prince, shout out to Don Jazzy, shout out to Baba T and the rest of them. I’ve had good people around me from the jump”
The ‘Dumebi’ crooner stressed the significance of being surrounded by individuals who provide constructive criticism, enabling him to maintain focus on his career.
Maïzi asked: “Do you think that it’s the most important thing to have good people around you?”
In response, he said: “Yeah, good people that tell you the truth, that tell you when you’re wrong and if you’re doing rubbish. I’ve got good people and then I have managed to do my best to stay calm, let people be people and just focus on what I’m doing.”
Rema also discussed his introverted personality and personal routines, mentioning that engaging in music production, playing video games, and reading books helps him maintain a sense of balance and cope with
“I’m an introvert and I spend most of my time inside, on my laptop making music, playing video games, and reading books”.
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