“Why are you calling me the devil?” Rema responds to rumours

Nigerian music sensation Rema has taken a stand against recent online allegations suggesting that he worships the devil. The speculation, he believes, stems from the bold visual elements in his music videos and performances.

In a candid conversation on the Kids Take Over podcast, Rema described the claims as the “craziest thing” he’s encountered about himself. He clarified that the vibrant colors and striking imagery he employs are purely artistic choices, particularly referencing his recent “rabbid phase” that prominently features the color red.

“The craziest thing I’ve seen online about me is that I worship the devil,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief. “It’s not important to respond to those claims; I feel like it’s a waste of time. Sometimes, it’s just really the colors my team and I use to dominate an image. If you see a beautiful lady in a red dress, you won’t call her the devil, so why are you calling me the devil?”

Rema also expressed his frustration over the misconceptions surrounding his Edo culture. He noted that his cultural background hasn’t been widely represented on the global stage, leading some to misinterpret its imagery as “devilish.”

“Many people are unfamiliar with Edo culture,” he explained. “If they don’t understand it, they label it devilish. But it’s just not one of the popular traditions in the diaspora.”

The Calm Down star emphasized that he doesn’t need to clarify his artistic direction to those who misinterpret it. “It’s literally one Google search away, and they want me to explain it? That’s a waste of time,” he said.

Rema is committed to letting his art speak for itself. “Will I do the music, videos, and creative direction and still come and explain it to y’all? Hell no! That’s why it’s art—you see it and make a meaning for yourself,” he concluded, confident in the power of his creative expression.