Rema Reveals His Smoking and Darker Aesthetics Were Symbolic Choices
Afrobeats star reveals smoking and darker aesthetics were symbolic choices inspired by anime character Itachi Uchiha
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Divine Ikubor, professionally known as Rema, has addressed criticism surrounding his dramatic image transformation, clarifying that controversial elements including smoking were artistic expressions rather than genuine personality changes.
The revelation came Thursday as the artist marked the one-year anniversary of his sophomore album “HEIS,” which sparked significant debate among fans when released in 2024 due to Rema’s striking departure from his previous aesthetic.
The transformation saw the “Calm Down” hitmaker abandon his signature mask and teddy bear imagery, instead embracing tattoos, smoking imagery, and darker color schemes. The changes extended beyond visuals to encompass his musical sound and overall artistic presentation.
Writing on his X (formerly Twitter) platform, Rema provided detailed insight into the symbolic meaning behind his controversial rebranding decisions.
“HEIS, the Anniversary. 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,” he wrote.
The artist revealed that his album cover drew inspiration from Japanese anime series Naruto, specifically the character Itachi Uchiha, known for his complex moral journey and misunderstood motivations.
“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),” Rema explained.
The clarification addresses widespread fan speculation that the artist had undergone a genuine personality transformation, with many expressing concern about the smoking imagery and darker themes that characterized the “HEIS” era.
Rema’s explanation reflects a growing trend among Nigerian artists using controversial imagery for artistic purposes rather than lifestyle representation. Last year, rapper Shallipopi made similar claims, stating he doesn’t actually smoke despite frequently posing with cigarettes in promotional materials, describing the practice as purely aesthetic.
The “HEIS” album marked a significant artistic evolution for Rema, who gained international recognition with hits like “Calm Down” and its remix featuring Selena Gomez. The project’s darker themes and visual presentation represented a deliberate artistic statement rather than authentic lifestyle documentation.
The artist’s anniversary reflection provides closure to months of speculation about his artistic direction and personal choices. By revealing the anime inspiration and symbolic intentions, Rema has recontextualized what many fans interpreted as concerning behavioral changes as calculated artistic expression.
The clarification comes as Rema continues building his international career following the massive success of “Calm Down,” which became one of the most successful Afrobeats songs globally. His explanation of the “HEIS” project’s symbolic nature may help reconcile fans who were concerned about his artistic evolution.
The practice of using controversial imagery for artistic impact has become increasingly common in the Nigerian music industry, with artists often walking the line between authentic expression and calculated shock value for promotional purposes.
