The renowned singer, Divine Ikubor, better known as Rema, has voiced his concerns about the alleged appropriation of his branding and musical style by some of his fellow artists.
Recently, Rema made headlines by securing 6 nominations at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards. However, without naming names, he has accused certain singers of laying claim to his unique style as their own.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the artist behind hits like 'Calm Down' admitted that while he hasn't received proper credit for the influence he's had on his peers, he finds it "flattering" that others are drawing inspiration from his work.
Rema also expressed his vision of bringing about a transformation in the Afrobeats music scene.
“I've been on the road for 4 years back-to-back; dropping bangers, hopping on stages. It has propelled my growth continually," he shared. "As much as taking a break is necessary, I'm not a fan of idleness. I have extensive plans for evolving this [Afrobeats] sound. I've always been the one who wants to innovate the game and change how it's perceived, from sound to shows to branding."
“Even though some artists may not acknowledge my influence, I'm aware of how many people [artists] have emulated my moves, and I'm genuinely flattered by it,” Rema added.
