Nigerian singer, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has spoken about the emotional toll of rising to fame at a young age, alleging that he was exploited during the early phase of his career.
The music star made the revelation in the lyrics of his new song titled Moviestar, a collaboration with French pianist Sofiane Pamart.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Rema, who gained prominence after signing with Mavin Records and releasing his debut EP in 2019 at the age of 19, suggested that his early success came with challenges many fans are unaware of.
According to him, the public often misunderstands his experiences because they do not realise how young he was when he entered the spotlight.
He noted that he “got caught up so young,” describing the period as one marked by personal struggles.
In the song, the 25-year-old singer made startling claims about his encounters during his rise to fame, alleging that he was exposed to drugs by some women.
He sings, “Girls always give me drugs. My happiness is zipped in their little purse… Friends always make me feel robbed…”
Rema further explained that his situation became more complicated after signing his record deal, as he found it difficult to step away from the demands of the industry.
Through the lyrics, he suggested that there was pressure to continue performing and entertaining fans, with little consideration for his emotional well-being.
The singer stressed that his personal pain is often overlooked by fans who only see the glamorous side of his success.
