True to our earlier speculations, Rema's HEIS is a step in the dark for his older fans.
He majorly introduced his Afro-Rave personality in this album and stunned a lot of them. Following the release of his debut album Rave & Roses in March 2022, which included the monster hit Calm Down, Rema has been on an impressive trajectory.
This was more award-based as he didn't release any new songs till June 2024 when Rema unveiled a collaboration with fellow Nigerian artist Shallipopi titled Benin Boys. The upbeat track showcases the dynamic exchange of verses between the two artists as they boast about their 'big money' and global recognition.
Rema's success has continued to grow, as evidenced by his recent accolades. In June 2023, he received two ASCAP London Music Awards: one for song of the year and another for top streaming song, both for Calm Down. This track also made history as the first song by an African lead artist to reach No. 1 on the all-genre Radio Songs chart in the United States. Additionally, Rema's debut album Rave & Roses reached No. 81 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the World Albums chart.
Furthermore, Rema's star power has caught the attention of high-profile events, as he was reportedly paid a staggering $3 million to perform at the wedding of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani's son.
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Sequencing
The HEIS album unfolded like a masterful journey, with each song seamlessly transitioning into the next.
While the sole instance of direct sequencing came in the smooth nine-second switch from March AM to Azaman. The rest of the album showcased an even more impressive feat, phenomenal arrangement. The order of the tracks itself seemed to tell a story, a testament to the artists' intentionality in crafting the listening experience.
Each song flowed effortlessly into the next, creating a cohesive whole that was far greater than the sum of its parts. This masterful sequencing elevated the HEIS album from a collection of tracks to a singular, powerful statement. For the 11-track album of merely 30 minutes, fans also claimed to listen to the album completely without even realizing it.
Production, songwriting, and melody
Rema takes a big leap forward in the production of his music on his album HEIS. Previously, Rema’s go-to producer, London, was heavily involved in creating his sound.
On HEIS, however, London is only credited on three songs. This album marks the first time Rema has been deeply involved in the production process according to the metadata. Other co-producers on the album include Altims, Daytrip, Producer X, Cubeatz, Deats, Klimperboy and Alex Lustig.
Notably, the album features a dance party melody, described as rave material infused with elements of Afrobeats music. The lyrics are in pidgin English and make claims of superiority. Rema sings about his confidence and achievements, asserting himself as one of the big 4 in the Nigerian music industry. Primarily, the overall tone is energetic and boastful.
Album theme and overall delivery
The sequencing on HEIS is masterful, with smooth tracks, and a cohesive narrative. Each song centers on in a powerful statement of domination in the music industry. It is evident that Rema was not pandering to western influences when he made this album. It is a deliberate move to reign supreme in his hometown.
Unlike his biggest hit Calm Down, Rema took a different route, focusing on rap, pidgin, and a lot of. Afrobeat influences. In times where you would note melodies like pop or jazz, he and his producers masterfully brought the afro in them and turned these tracks perfectly rogue.
Rema did a good job in its delivery especially with the end track Now I Know which gives us some sort of a reason behind his sudden outburst.
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
