Humans logo

Why I Don't Write My Songs - REMA

Rema opens up

By Jide OkonjoPublished about a year ago 3 min read

Nigerian musician Rema is one of the most successful artistes out of the continent today with a slew of hit records under his belt including "Calm Down", "Bounce", and his latest smash "Hehehe". Now in a new interview with The Breakfast Club, Rema is revealing that he doesn't actually write his songs, and instead explains how the songs come to be. He also tells the story of what inspired his latest smash, 'Hehehe'. Here is what Rema had to say.

**Before reading on, please make sure to sign up for my newsletter below so you don't miss out on any new and interesting lists, articles, and stories that I post every single day. At the end of each week, I'll compile all the best stories from the week and send them right to your inbox, so you don't miss out on any of the hottest things that have happened throughout the week. Sign up now so you always get alerted!

Speaking about why he doesn't write his songs and how the songs come about, Rema said:

REMA: I'm in my own world. I don't really write songs. I don't write. I just go to the studio and have fun. Sometimes I end up saying things that do not even exist, that are not even words. Like my first hit song, the chorus was not even a word, I just expressed myself. I was just in my own world, enjoying what I do and that's harmony. Like I say, if the vision was never for me, then why did it come? It's like no English word or Nigerian word could match the vibration that that chorus would send. It was just meant to be gibberish and I did it, and it gave me the platform to express myself more. It gave me my first hit song. In Nigeria, we call that 'lamba', lamba is just something you create out of the aura of being in the studio and in that creative process, you just express that feeling. It's like saying "boom" without saying it was an explosion.

Then speaking about how 'Hehehe' came to be and the inspiration behind it, Rema said:

REMA: The haters inspired 'Hehehe'. Day in, day out, people are talking about me, but y'know, I'm stacking up every second. It's time to do better with your time. People have been hating one me since I dropped my first tape at 19. I've been criticized a lot. I would say I've not been babysitted at all. I've been poked for years and if no one got my heart, they will literally cry. I feel like over time, even with my phases, the game kinda made me colder and colder. I came with a loving heart. I spread so much love. But sometimes you just want to give back that energy, and just pop out.

What do you think about what Rema had to say?

Thanks for diving into this story with me! Btw, every time you read, support, and share my work, it fuels my hunger to keep bringing you the latest news on your favorite Nigerian celebrities, movies, music and more. Your thoughts also matter to me, so please share them in the comments below, or on my Jide Okonjo Facebook post. Let's keep the conversation going and I can't wait to see your thoughts on this.

That's All.

I hope you’ve had fun. Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter if you don’t already for more stories like this - collated every week and sent right to your inbox so you don't miss out on anything.

To catch up on other content you might have missed, click here.

Until next time, have a wonderful rest of your day

celebrities

About the Creator

Jide Okonjo

This account is dedicated to TWO things:

🇳🇬 Nigerian news stories for my dedicated Nigerian readers.

💡 The Six Figure Series (A Vocal Exclusive) for writers, readers, and fans of Vocal.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2026 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.