Afrobeats sensation Divine Ikubor, better known as Rema, has shared the personal reasons behind his decision to start smoking. In a recent interview with GRM, Rema, 24, revealed how the death of his father profoundly impacted his childhood and led him to take on adult responsibilities at a young age.

Rema described how the loss of his father forced him into a role where he had to support his family, which he felt robbed him of his childhood. “I really wanted to feel like a child again,” he said, reflecting on how quickly his life changed after his father and brother passed away. “The weight was just on my shoulders and forced me to sell my childhood to provide for my family.”

The singer noted that despite being an adult when he decided to start smoking, his choice has faced criticism, partly due to his celebrity status. Rema explained that smoking is his way of reclaiming a sense of freedom and rebelling against the highly structured and serious life he’s experienced since rising to fame.

Rema shared that his recent project, ‘HeIs,’ reflects his desire to reconnect with his youth. “I just want to feel young again. I just want to be a rebel,” he said. “Kids make mistakes and it’s acceptable, but when you’re in the spotlight and make the same mistakes, everyone comes for you.”

He added, “I know people who smoked cigarettes when they were 13, and here I am at 24, smoking just to break some rules and feel free. Everything in my life has felt so planned and scheduled. I just got tired.”