Nigerian Afrobeats star Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has explained why he is cautious about flaunting his wealth and achievements on social media, saying he does not want to put unnecessary pressure on young people who look up to him.

The singer made this known during an interview with Jam FM, where he discussed his influence on young people and the responsibility he feels as a public figure.

According to Rema, many young people admire his success and aspire to attain similar heights, but he believes they should be allowed to pursue their goals at their own pace without comparing themselves with others.

He explained that his decision to keep his lifestyle relatively simple is partly driven by his desire to prevent young people from feeling inadequate or rushing their personal journeys because of what they see online.

Rema speaks on pressure among young people

The singer noted that although some people have advised him not to worry about how his lifestyle might affect others, he remains conscious of the influence his public image could have on his younger fans.

“A lot of young people look up to me, whether they are my fans or not. I have something they want or dream of, so I do my best not to make anyone feel bad about themselves or feel pressured,” he said.

Rema added that everyone has their own time to achieve success, warning that constantly comparing themselves with successful peers could make young people feel compelled to rush their progress.

“Everybody has their time, but some people just want to rush it because they see their fellow young person doing well,” he stated.

He explained that his concern is particularly for young people who may already be struggling with expectations about their future and financial success.

Singer criticises pressure from parents

Beyond social media, Rema also highlighted the pressure some young people face from their parents, particularly when choosing careers and courses of study.

He observed that some parents compare their children with others and push them towards careers they may not genuinely want, largely because of the financial rewards associated with those professions.

“I just care about the kids who are under pressure. Parents do that as well. Parents compare a lot. Parents put a lot of kids under pressure. A lot of kids are in school studying what they don’t want to study because their parents want them to have good-paying jobs,” he said.

The singer stressed that he does not want his success to become another source of pressure for young people who are still discovering their paths in life.

“So, I don’t want anybody to rush their time or pressure themselves because of me,” he added.

Rema explains his simple fashion choices

The Afrobeats star also linked his preference for a relatively understated lifestyle to his fashion choices, revealing that he enjoys streetwear and does not wear too many designer labels.

According to him, the most extravagant items he typically wears are his jewellery and watches.

“I just like to keep it simple. That is one reason I enjoy streetwear. I really don’t do too many designers. The only thing that is really lavish about me may be my chains or watches,” he stated.

Rema’s comments highlight his view that young people should focus on their individual journeys rather than measure their progress against the wealth and achievements of celebrities or their peers.