By Naomi Salami

Song title: Holiday

Artiste: Rema

Genre: Afro-pop

Release date: 17, February 2023

Music label: Mavin Records

Background

Rema’s latest single, Holiday, is a storytelling street banger that chronicles the Mavin Records signee’s humble beginning from grass to grace as he hustled to feed his family. The fast-trending single also came off as a diss at some of his negative street friends who thought he would never amount to anything.

Christened as Divine Ikubor, the creative songwriter is famed for his infectious hit songs and constant global successes. In 2019, Rema’s EP (extended playlist), ranked number one on Apple Music Nigeria. To top it all off, when former United States President, Barack Obama shared his summer playlist on Twitter and included one of his tunes, Iron Man, on the list, the EP became even more popular.

 The Headies Award for Next Rated winner’s success in just three years in the industry is not just praiseworthy but also commendable. Since then, Rema has continued to attract honours, prizes, and award nominations, including global recognition. Calm down, Soundgasm, Bounce, Ginger me, Bad Commando, Fame, Are you there, Lady, and his other hit songs are relatable to the Gen Zs who religiously vibe to these songs.  A TikToker, while vibing to this song said, “‘Holiday’ is living rent-free in my head’. Notably, the Benin city-born maestro has also worked with celebrity artistes both local and internationally.

 About Holiday

The ‘calm-down’ crooner dropped a double-sided single, Holiday and Reason you, which was released on the same day. The single, Holiday doesn’t just have a catchy chorus, but also showcases the lyrical dexterity of the artiste. In his self-reflection mode, Rema opens the door to his past, pouring out his life’s struggles and the difficulties he encountered before his attainment of fame and stardom.

It was ‘no holds barred’ for Rema as he let the cat out of the basket on how he stole his friend’s laptop just to feed his family…hard life! He was, however, full of praises after coming out unscathed from this situation. He didn’t fail to mention some of the people who didn’t believe in his dream of making it big in his own way and they still doubted him even when he made his first single. He also reflected on the sleepless nights and sacrifices he made, and is still making for his family. Again, he didn’t fail to appreciate God for the new status.

The relatability of this song explains why the song is on repeat mode everywhere. An average Nigerian understands the struggle the song talks about and it’s not surprising that Rema has been able to reach and surpass his target audience with this tune.

The lyrics goes thus:

First you go be the bad guy

Then you go be the actor

Because I wan feed my family

Na im make me thief my own guy laptop

Came out alive omo me I thank God

My money big you go need tractor

If e be say you wan carry my weight

You go need new gym instructor

I will never forget the time wey bad belle dem

Cast us away fast forward to today

Everyday na holiday

Everyday say na holiday – oya day – oya dey dey dey dey owey

The DK-directed the music video portrays the singer as a social butterfly and a playful persona but its editing was average, probably because of its playful and party-like concept. The camera angles were amazing and it gave off a feeling of fun, which was in line with the tune.

Drawbacks

The lighting technique of the music video was average and it made the music video look like it was produced some years back. Its editing could have been better, especially for an artiste who has a large global fanbase. The quality of his work should be nothing below excellent but it is believed that things will get better over time.

Opinion

Despite the drawbacks, Holiday is like a drug that could get you hooked if you’re a sucker for Rema’s afrobeat sound. The lyrics also provide a major lesson to learn, no matter how hard things may be at the moment, your will and determination to not remain as you are, but be a better version of yourself, is all that matters. Holiday is currently number one on Spotify and among the top 10 on Apple music. Go give it a listen.

Meiza Nigeria