Nigerian Afrobeat sensation Rema has opened up about his unconventional approach to songwriting, revealing that he doesn’t actually write his own lyrics.
Instead, he relies on his spontaneous creativity when he steps into the studio.
Unlike many artists who work with professional songwriters, Rema allows his natural flow of ideas to shape his music.
He shared that some of his most memorable lyrics are actually just spontaneous sounds, citing his breakout track “Dumebi” as an example.
The song’s chorus, he explained, was crafted from a catchy melody rather than traditional lyrics.
“I’m in my own world. I don’t really write songs,” Rema said. “I just go to the studio and have fun. Sometimes, I end up saying things that aren’t even real words.
Like in ‘Dumebi,’ the chorus wasn’t made up of actual words; it was pure expression. If the vision wasn’t meant for me, why would it come?
It’s like creating something out of the creative aura of the studio, and that’s what ‘lamba’ is – it’s just expressing that feeling without using specific language.”
Rema also discussed the inspiration behind his recent hit, “Hehehe,” which he described as a response to the criticism he has faced throughout his career.
He mentioned that the negativity he has received has fueled his motivation to succeed.
“The haters inspired ‘Hehehe’. People have been talking about me since I dropped my first tape at 19. I’ve been poked and criticized a lot, but it’s made me stronger and more determined.
I came with a loving heart, but sometimes you just want to return that energy and show what you’re made of.”
The artist’s comments have sparked widespread discussion among fans and music enthusiasts.
Since rising to fame, Rema has made a significant impact on the Afrobeat scene and recently made history as the first Nigerian artist to achieve 1 billion streams on a single track on Spotify.
