Rema is Don Jazzy’s new Mavin’s wonderkid, a likely ticket to reclaiming his spot as the kingmaker in the Nigerian music industry but what’s most off-putting about the Trapster’s entrance into the industry is the light he’s being cast in. Right now, Rema is being touted as an Afro-Pop artist but with the many influences evident in the young MC’s debut project, Iron Man; a brilliant and edgy album that’s nothing short of its name, it’s quite clear that Rema is not made of the same stuff as your everyday Afro-Pop artist.
More than anything, Rema is a fantastic example of the quality of talent currently rising out of the most obscure corners in Africa culminating from his chaotic background and his doggedness which he expresses in the 4-track EP, a superb introduction that is likely to gain him many plaudits. It’s only right that the sound kaleidoscope is presented as he is and allowed to run with the sound that comes naturally to him.
Notwithstanding the bi-polarity of his musical personality, Rema exhibits a certain kind of rusty ability to confidently navigate his way through the project which belies all of his 18 years.
From the expertly crafted Hindustani inspired Iron Man which capitalizes on his persona to the airy trap driven Why to the spacey Corny and finally, the bouncy Dumebi – the only track on the EP that takes the Afrobeat route all of which are articulated in synthesized vocals, Rema displays a certain kind of ancient knowledge in music and comfortability in any genre he’s inspired by which makes his mistaken personality tolerable and forgivable.
We are merely scratching the surface of his undoubted potential right now and it’s quite clear that in a few years or maybe even months, he will be a force to reckon with.