Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema has explained why he deliberately avoids flaunting his wealth and achievements, saying he does not want his success to put unnecessary pressure on young people who look up to him.
The singer, whose real name is Divine Ikubor, said he is conscious of the influence he has on young people, including those who are not necessarily his fans but admire his accomplishments and aspire to achieve similar success.
Speaking in a recent interview with JAM FM, Rema explained that publicly displaying an extravagant lifestyle could make some young people feel inadequate or believe they are falling behind in life.
According to him, seeing someone of a similar age enjoying financial success can create pressure to achieve similar results quickly, even when individual circumstances and opportunities differ.
He said he tries to be mindful of how he presents his lifestyle because he does not want people to measure their personal progress against his achievements.
“A lot of young people look up to me, whether they are my fans or not. I have something they want or dream of, so I do my best not to make anyone feel bad about themselves or feel pressured,” Rema said.
The singer acknowledged that some people have encouraged him not to worry about how his lifestyle might affect others. However, he maintained that people could interpret displays of wealth differently, particularly young people who are still working towards their ambitions.
For Rema, the issue goes beyond social media posts featuring expensive cars, designer clothing, jewellery and other symbols of financial success. He believes constant comparisons can encourage young people to rush their personal journeys instead of allowing themselves time to develop.
“Everybody has their time but some people just want to rush it because they see their fellow young person doing well,” he said.
Rema also highlighted the pressure many young people experience at home, pointing to parents who compare their children with others or impose expectations about education and career choices.
He argued that some students pursue courses they have little interest in because their parents want them to secure well-paying jobs.
The singer said such expectations can compound the pressure young people already experience when they compare themselves with successful peers and celebrities.
“Parents do that as well. Parents compare a lot. Parents put a lot of kids under pressure,” he said.
He added that he does not want his public image to become another reason for young people to feel compelled to achieve success before they are ready.
“So, I don’t want anybody to rush their time or pressure themselves because of me,” he said.
Beyond his concerns about social pressure, Rema also discussed his personal fashion preferences, explaining that he generally favours simple streetwear rather than constantly wearing expensive designer labels.
Although the singer is known for his distinctive appearance and accessories, he said he does not particularly enjoy wearing too many designer brands.
“I just like to keep it simple. That is one reason I enjoy streetwear. I really don’t do too many designers. The only thing that is really lavish about me may be my chains or watches,” he said.
His comments offer insight into how he approaches his public image despite his success in the global music industry.
Rema rose to prominence in 2019 after signing with Mavin Records and releasing music that helped establish him as one of the leading voices in Nigeria’s new generation of Afrobeats artists.
His international profile grew significantly following the success of Calm Down, particularly its remix featuring American singer Selena Gomez, which introduced his music to a wider global audience.
Since then, he has continued to build his career through international performances, music releases and collaborations, attracting a large following among young listeners.
His growing influence has also placed him among the Nigerian entertainers whose lifestyles and achievements attract considerable public attention.
However, his latest remarks suggest that he sees this visibility as a responsibility, particularly when it comes to how younger audiences interpret celebrity success.
Rather than encouraging people to measure their progress against his financial achievements, Rema wants them to recognise that success does not happen at the same pace for everyone.
His message is that young people should pursue their ambitions without allowing comparisons, family expectations or the lifestyles of celebrities to dictate their timelines.
For the singer, keeping his wealth largely out of the spotlight is one way of ensuring that his success inspires people without making them feel that they must achieve similar results immediately.
