"Confidence, Not Arrogance" – Rema Clears the Air on His Afrobeats Greatness Claim
Afrobeats sensation Rema has set the record straight—his confidence should not be mistaken for arrogance.
The Calm Down hitmaker recently sparked conversation after boldly declaring himself one of Afrobeats’ greatest artists. While some applauded his self-belief, others saw it as overconfidence. Addressing the controversy in a new interview with Rolling Stone, Rema explained that his statement comes from years of dedication and hard work, not an inflated ego.
He questioned why acknowledging one’s success should be seen as a negative thing, emphasizing that confidence is essential in the industry.
"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,” Rema stated.
"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.’ I really vouch for the unity of Afrobeats.”
Rema’s words reflect a mindset that has helped him break global records and push Afrobeats to new heights. Rather than diminishing others, he believes in embracing confidence while uplifting the genre as a whole.
What do you think—should artists proudly claim their greatness, or should they let their work speak for itself?