From Gibberish to Gold: How Dumebi Aced Rema Into Stardom

In an exclusive sit-down with Larry Madowo for CNN’s African Voices, Nigeria’s Afrobeats sensation Rema opens up about how his hit single, Dumebi became the smash the world celebrates. 

The interview cut across different aspects of the singer’s progressive music career and how he has envisioned placing his hometown, Benin, on the world map.

When asked if the song, Dubemi’s lyrics were all gibberish, he said, “I was just vibing, to be honest… I was just vibing. I was being free with my music. To be honest.

Larry continued, “Why did you set out to leave it like that?”

Rema said, “Because I got advice from OG D’Prince. At the time I played the song for him, he was just like, this is just a vibe that I made. I’m not finished cause, like, I was just getting new to Afrobeats, and that was the second Afrobeats song I ever made. I was like, but some of the parts, I am not saying anything. Like the book, I have not figured it out, you know, but it’s like, yeah, it was like, what are you going to say that’s going to sound like this?

He continued, “And I was like yo! I really do not know. And he was like yeah, just leave it. I was like, okay, then I left it.”

“It’s quite genius to make people dance to something that doesn’t even exist…” He further remarked.

“Dumebi” was officially released on May 21, 2019.

So far, the song has won the award for “Next Rated” at the 2019 Headies and also won 

“Dumebi” was part of Rema’s debut EP, also titled “Rema” (2019), which gained widespread acclaim and launched his career.