REMA proves “HEIS” him.
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TOP 5 SONGS
5. NOW I KNOW
“NOW I KNOW” closes out this album perfectly.
In “NOW I KNOW,” we get a vulnerable version of Rema. He talks about wanting to be around people he trusts, avoiding those who don’t want to see him happy, and being self-sufficient. While I wouldn’t call the track the most exciting or dynamic, it does humanize Rema, which is something listeners like myself always appreciate hearing.
4. VILLIAN
These days, we have to redefine what a villain looks like.
In “VILLAIN,” Rema does some bragging in the most festive way. Over a high-energy beat that might make a few folks dance like they’re possessed, our hero speaks on his luxurious lifestyle, which consists of fine girls, ganja, and high-end fashion. More than any other track on this project, this one will get your heart pumping.
3. AZAMAN
MC Hammer meets AfroPop is the first thing that came to mind when I heard this track.
“AZAMAN” boasts an unbelievable, dramatic beat, with these in-your-face thumps reminiscent of the ’90s (Trust me, when you hear it, you’ll know what I’m talking about) and a very fun tempo. While Rema’s delivery is more laid-back than aggressive, he nails an incredibly catchy hook, a tumultuous melody, and even drops a John Cena reference that I absolutely love.
I bet my people back home in Nigeria still call the WWE the WWF.
2. HEHEHE
Rema has a very evil laugh.
I guess we meet Rema’s alter ego in “HEHEHE?” In this track, he adopts a wicked, wizardry style of singing that reminds me of Young Thug with a Nigerian accent. So, who is Rema laughing at? It’s all those people who have s**t to say about him. And why is he laughing? Well, because he’s got so much money that he couldn’t care less about their opinions. All in all, I’m digging the tempo, the creative vibe, and the audacity of this song.
1. BENIN BOYS (Ft. Shallipopi)
How do I apply to be a Benin Boy?
In “BENIN BOYS,” Rema and Shallipopi proclaim themselves as individuals who earn big money and party hard. The track’s feverish energy is what I love most—it’s sure to ignite dancefloors worldwide. As for Rema, he delivers an invigorating hook, and his back-and-forth with Shallipopi feels like a sneaky-good formidable punch (Sort of like Tatum and Brown).
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
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RGM RATING
(C) (76%)
This is what pushing boundaries as an artist sounds like.
Rema skyrocketed to fame after his track “Calm Down” went viral. While I absolutely love that song, it didn’t fully capture the extent of his creative genius. This album does. Throughout HEIS, Rema experiments with various vocal styles, cinematic Afrobeat instrumentals, unconventional song structures, and topics that other Afrobeats artists simply aren’t addressing. He radiates the confidence of someone who knows they are untouchable, likely giving him the freedom to explore unconventional avenues. Is the album super enjoyable? Personally, not entirely. It features tracks that will take some time to get used to (and frankly, some that I may never get used to). However, if you want to witness artistry in its purest form, you’ll appreciate it.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
