Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Rema, born Divine Ikubor, has shared a disturbing personal experience from his early years, revealing that he was allegedly drugged by women during his youth.
The revelation comes through the lyrics of his newly released track, “Moviestar,” which features French musician Sofiane Pamart. The song, released over the weekend, sees the singer adopt a more reflective and emotional tone, shedding light on challenges he faced while rising to fame.
In the track, Rema hints at feelings of exploitation and emotional strain, suggesting that his early environment in the music scene exposed him to troubling experiences. He also touches on the pressures that came with success, including expectations from industry stakeholders who prioritized performance over his well-being.
The “Calm Down” hitmaker reflects on how difficult it was to navigate those challenges after signing a record deal, describing a period marked by confusion, vulnerability, and external influence.
Rema, who rose to prominence in 2019 after joining Mavin Records, has since become one of the leading global figures in Afrobeats. His international hit “Calm Down,” featuring Selena Gomez, achieved record-breaking success, becoming the most streamed Afrobeats song and earning multiple platinum certifications worldwide.
The track also made history as the first African-led song to surpass one billion streams on Spotify, topping charts across several regions and securing a Guinness World Record.
Beyond streaming milestones, Rema has continued to break barriers, including delivering a standout performance at the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2023, further cementing his status as a global music icon.