Nigerian singer, Divine Ikubor better known as Rema has spoken on his transition from gospel to secular music.
He spoke while featuring as a guest on Rubbin’ Minds hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu on Sunday, where he disclosed that he began his music career in church and as the leader of a group, the Rap Nation.
According to Rema, that switch came when he realised that he needed to provide for his family after losing his dad and brother.
The singer revealed that he started going to political rallies, bars and competitions to perform in Benin, Edo state which was the genesis of his transition to secular music.
He said; “A lot of people felt like it was when I got signed that I started deviating or whatever, no. Actually, life was tough in Benin and I’m not that guy to ask the people in church to pay me because I was doing God’s work.
I was still in Benin when that switch happened. A lot of people thought that when I got signed, I started deviating.
“No. Actually, life was tough in Benin. I’m not that guy to ask the people in church to pay me because I’m doing God’s work.
“Right there in Benin, I started going to competitions, going to bars, lounges, political rallies; just trying to get on the stage and hold a microphone, to at least get sprayed some money to come back home and feed my family, because we were going through tough times.
“I lost my father and brother and I needed to come through for my family. At that point in time, I felt like that’s where I started spacing out; little by little, until I just exiled.”
He further disclosed that it was a weird experience for him and his mum but he gave her reassurances.
Rema added; “It was weird for me and most especially for my mum because she was well known in church. I didn’t do any much explaining. I just told her to trust me.”
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