Rema Responds to Concerns Over His Smoking Habit

Afrobeats sensation Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, recently opened up about his smoking habit and the reasons behind it.

In an interview, the Mavins artist shared that the tragic loss of his father during his childhood forced him to grow up quickly and take on adult responsibilities. This early burden led him to “sell” his childhood in order to support his family.

Rema revealed that he started smoking cigarettes as a way to feel “free” and to break away from the rigid structure his life had taken on. He expressed frustration over the constant scrutiny he faces as a public figure, even though he is now an adult.

Rema explained that, despite being a grown man, he still faces criticism for his choices simply because he is in the spotlight. Reflecting on his past, Rema shared that the pressures of losing both his father and brother at a young age pushed him into adulthood far too soon.

The responsibility of providing for his family weighed heavily on him, leaving little room for the typical experiences of childhood and adolescence. As his fame grew rapidly, so did the expectations and seriousness of his life, forcing him to mature faster than his peers.

Rema described his desire to reclaim some of the youth he lost, saying that his latest project, “He Is,” is an expression of that longing. He wants to feel like a child again, to make mistakes without the heavy consequences that come with being in the public eye.

Rema pointed out that while many people experiment with smoking as teenagers, he is only now, at 24, trying to experience a sense of freedom and rebellion that he missed out on.

In his words:

“I really wanted to feel like a child again… 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.

“God willing, everything happened well, it happened fast. And with fast fame, comes fast maturity. It’s just like never-ending level of seriousness. So much adults. So much meetings. I didn’t even roll with my age mates.

“So this project (‘He Is’) I just want to be a child. 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. You know, kids make mistakes and it’s acceptable. But when you’re a teenager and you make the same mistake your peers would make, everyone will come for you just because you’re in the spotlight.

“I know people who smoked a cigarette when they were 13, and 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.”