Rema defends his self-confidence, clarifying that acknowledging his greatness doesn’t equate to arrogance, but rather hard-earned success
Nigerian music sensation Rema has addressed the controversy surrounding his recent statement in which he ranked himself among Afrobeats’ top four artistes.
Speaking in an interview with *Rolling Stone*, the “Calm Down” hitmaker clarified that his self-confidence should not be mistaken for arrogance, stressing that his recognition of his own success is rooted in his dedication and hard work.
The 24-year-old singer’s comment had drawn attention after he included himself in a list of top Nigerian musicians. Rema, however, believes that acknowledging one’s greatness is not an act of boasting but rather a reflection of belief in one’s own journey.
He expressed his frustration over the backlash, questioning why it’s controversial to stand by one’s success.
“So on ‘Heis’, I was talking a lot of s**t. It is not cocky. It is like, what stops you from saying you’re the best? You can say it and stand your ground. It is even humble to say four,” Rema explained.
The artist also drew comparisons to rapper Kendrick Lamar, pointing out that unlike Lamar’s diss track “It’s just big me,” which often involves tearing others down, he does not feel the need to diminish other artists to lift himself up.
Instead, Rema emphasized that his belief in his place within Afrobeats is part of a larger vision of unity for the genre.
“I didn’t pull down the two, I didn’t pull down the three. I just see myself as one of the greats, and it’s a problem. I’m not saying ‘oh f**k everybody.’
I really vouch for the unity of Afrobeats,” he said, reinforcing his stance of fostering collective success within the African music scene.
Rema’s comments come at a time when Afrobeats is experiencing global recognition, with Nigerian artistes like him continuing to lead the charge in the international music scene.
His openness about his confidence highlights a broader trend where many artistes are asserting their place in the global music hierarchy, which continues to spark conversation about self-promotion and humility in the industry.
