Rema has opened up about how the early loss of his father and brother profoundly shaped his life and career. In a recent interview with GRMDaily, the Nigerian music sensation shared that these tragedies forced him to grow up quickly, leaving him with little time to experience the carefree aspects of childhood.
He explained, “I feel like I grew up too fast. Life switched up on me crazy when I lost my dad and my brother. It’s just like the weight was on my shoulders, and it forced me to sell my childhood just to provide for my family.” Rema described how this rapid transition into adulthood led to him being constantly surrounded by adults, leaving no space for the typical experiences of his age group.
Reflecting on his journey, Rema said, “With fast fame came fast maturity, and it’s like a never-ending level of seriousness. There were so many adults and so many meetings that I didn’t even roll with my agemates.”
Rema revealed that his new album, *HEIS*, serves as an outlet for him to reconnect with his lost youth. “With this project, I just want to be a child and it’s just coming out. I just want to feel young again and be a rebel again. I just got tired, and I put that freedom in my music,” he explained. The album represents a departure from his previous works, allowing him to recapture the sense of freedom and rebellion he missed out on during his formative years.