Rema Opens Up About Why He Started Smoking
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Divine Ikubor, better known as Rema, recently shared a candid account of how the death of his father during his childhood had a profound impact on his life. In an interview with GRM, the 24-year-old singer revealed that the loss forced him to grow up quickly, taking on the responsibility of providing for his family at a young age.
Rema explained that the weight of these responsibilities made him feel like he “sold his childhood” to meet the needs of his family. Despite achieving fame and success at a young age, he confessed that he now longs to recapture the freedom and spontaneity of youth.
In a surprising revelation, the “Calm Down” hitmaker admitted that he recently started smoking cigarettes as a way to “feel free and break some rules again.” Rema expressed his frustration at being criticized for this choice, noting that while others might have experimented with smoking at a younger age, his actions are judged more harshly because of his celebrity status.
“I really wanted to feel like a child again,” Rema said. “Life switched up on me crazy when I lost my dad and my brother. The weight was just on my shoulders, and it forced me to sell my childhood to provide for my family. With fast fame comes fast maturity, and it felt like I never had the chance to just be a kid.”
He continued, “I know people who smoked a cigarette when they were 13, and I’m 24 smoking a cigarette because I just want to feel free and break some rules. All my life has felt so planned and scheduled. I just got tired.”
Rema’s honest reflections shed light on the pressures of growing up in the spotlight and the personal struggles that often accompany rapid success. As he continues to navigate his journey, the young artist is determined to reclaim a sense of youthfulness and freedom that he feels he missed out on.
