Famous Nigerian singer, Divine Ikubor, popularly addressed as Rema,has disclosed that his smoking on stage and shows is just an expression of art and not betrayal of his personality as many presumed, reports Business Today NG.
Rema also explained the motive for his rebranding in the build up to the release of his sophomore album, ‘HEIS,’ last year.
The singer rebranded by ditching his signature mask, Teddy bear, and embracing tattoos, smoking, and darker colours, just as also changed his sound and aesthetics.
The Edo State born singer made this disclosure on Thursday, 10 July, 2025, while speaking during one year anniversary of his sophomore album
Rema, who also clarified that his rebranding, including smoking, was just an expression of art and not betrayal of his personality as many presumed, also that the controversial album cover was inspired by Japanese anime series Naruto character, Itachi Uchiha.
“I expressed a lot of surface level reasons why I released this project over a course of interviews when it came out but, here are few “SYMBOLIC” details that wrap around the ENERGY of the project I kept for myself but now, I’d like to share.
“Consider this an Author’s note;
“The cover was inspired by Itachi in Naruto. The Truth masked as illusion, Love buried under what y’all thought was betrayal ( change of sound, smoking , looks, aesthetics & choice of color ).” the singer wrote “HEIS, the Anniversary. on his X handle page.
