Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema has disclosed the personal rituals he follows before taking the stage, revealing a routine that includes both relaxation and spiritual preparation. The disclosure came during a recent interview with Dazed magazine, conducted on the sidelines of Milan Fashion Week where the artist walked for Diesel.
According to Rema, whose real name is Divine Ikubor, his pre-performance routine is deliberately structured. He stated that it involves consuming a small amount of tequila, smoking a cigarette, engaging in prayer, and then connecting with his technical team to confirm all performance modalities are correctly set. “A little Tequila, a little cigarette, pray, tap in with the team and make sure everything is on cue,” he explained. This sound-check process, he noted, is critical for ensuring a seamless show.
The artist contrasted the pressures of live performance with runway modeling, asserting that performing live is significantly more stressful. He explained that a concert demands intense focus on breath control and the continuous energy required to engage an audience. “Performing has a lot to do with your breathwork and you have to keep the crowd going,” Rema said.
In a separate reflection on his current creative inspirations, Rema shared that he has been listening extensively to Sudanese cultural live music. He also acknowledged that cigarette smoking represents his “biggest vice,” framing it as a personal habit within his broader routine.
Rema, a defining figure in the global rise of Afrobeats, is known for hits like “Calm Down” and “Soundgasm.” His appearance at Milan Fashion Week for Diesel underscored his crossover influence beyond music. The candidness about his pre-show habits offers a glimpse into the personal mechanisms some artists employ to manage the psychological and physical demands of large-scale live performances, a topic of perennial interest within the entertainment industry.
