Rema said he sees himself as one of Afrobeats’ greatest artistes.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stones, the ‘Calm Down’ hitmaker clarified his previous statement about Nigeria’s top four artistes, which included himself.
The 24-year-old emphasized that his confidence is not arrogance, but rather a reflection of his hard work and dedication to his craft.
He also questioned why it’s a problem for him to declare himself the best, citing that it’s even humble to acknowledge the existence of other greats.
Referencing Kendrick Lamar’s famous diss line, Rema distinguished his intentions, stating that he advocates for the unity of Afrobeats, rather than seeking to tear others down.
“So on ‘Heis’, I was talking a lot of s**t. It is not cocky. It is like what stops you from saying you’re the best? You can say it and stand your ground. It is even humble to say four,” he said.
“I didn’t pull down the two, I didn’t pull down the three. I just see myself as one of the greats, and it’s a problem. I’m not saying oh f**k everybody. It is different from what Kendrick said: ‘It’s just big me’. I really vouch for the unity of Afrobeats.”
Born Divine Ikubor, Rema signed with D’Prince’s Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records, in 2019.
His hit song ‘Calm Down’, featuring Selena Gomez, won the first ‘Best Afrobeats’ category at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) in 2023.
Spotify also recognised him as one of the most exported artistes who dominated last year’s charts in sub-Saharan Africa.
Rema’s sophomore album ‘HeIs‘ set the record for the biggest first-week streams on Spotify Nigeria in 2024.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
