Nigerian artist Rema has responded to online claims suggesting he worships the devil, a rumor he believes arose from his visually striking music videos and performance aesthetics.
During a recent interview on the Kids Take Over podcast, Rema dismissed the allegations as the “craziest thing” he has encountered about himself. He clarified that the imagery and colors in his work are artistic choices, noting that his recent “rabbid phase,” characterized by the use of red, has been misunderstood.
He stated, “The craziest thing I’ve seen online about me is that I worship the devil; they say I worship the devil.” Rema emphasized that discussing such claims feels like a waste of time. He compared his use of color to a beautiful woman in a red dress, saying, “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 highlighted the influence of his Edo culture on his music visuals and expressed frustration at how some people label it as “devilish” due to a lack of understanding. He noted that Edo culture is not widely known and lacks representation in the diaspora.
He concluded by saying he doesn’t feel the need to explain his artistic choices to those who misunderstand them, emphasizing, “That’s why it’s art; you see it and make a meaning for yourself.”