Entertainment
Rema Says His New Look and Smoking is Just Art and Not a Lifestyle Change
Nigerian music star Rema has opened up about the reasons behind his bold rebranding during the rollout of his second album HEIS, which dropped last year. The Calm Down hitmaker had caught fans by surprise when he moved away from his usual teddy bear and mask look, embracing tattoos, smoking visuals, and a darker, edgier aesthetic.
Alongside the new look came a shift in sound and energy that left many wondering if he had changed for good. Marking the one-year anniversary of HEIS, Rema took to X to explain the deeper meaning behind the transformation. He clarified that the new persona wasn’t a departure from who he truly is but rather an artistic choice meant to match the mood and symbolism of the project.
He revealed that the album cover was inspired by Itachi Uchiha from the Naruto anime series; a character known for hiding painful truths behind a cold exterior. Rema said the smoking, darker visuals, and sound were part of that same storytelling technique: “The truth masked as illusion, love buried under what y’all thought was betrayal.”
The long-awaited trial in the murder case of legendary rapper Tupac Shakur has reached a major development, with Duane “Keffe D” Davis sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on October 13, 2026.
Davis was convicted of first-degree murder in August 2026 for his role in orchestrating the 1996 killing. Tupac was shot in a drive-by attack in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996, and died six days later.
During the sentencing, the judge addressed Davis, rejecting his claims that he had changed his life and moved on from his past. “Mr. Davis, for three years, I’ve heard you say some variation of the same thing to law enforcement, [in interviews], in your book, and it’s something like, ‘Yeah, I was involved in this, but I’m different. I’ve moved on. I got out of Compton. I’m a grandfather now.’ I’m here to tell you that’s not how this works,” the judge said.
She continued “You don’t get to take a man from his family. You don’t get to take his very life, his whole future from him, and just walk away from it. Especially when that man is Tupac Shakur.
“The world never forgot about him and his death, and neither did Las Vegas. It took us 30 years, but at this time, you are going to face justice for what you did on Sept. 7, 1996.”
Nollywood actor Timini Egbuson has reflected on how his perception of YouTube movies has changed over the years. The actor recalled that there was a time when he looked down on movies released on YouTube.
However, he now appreciates the opportunities they have provided for his career and joked that he might have struggled financially if he had continued to dismiss them.
Sharing his thoughts in a post on X, Egbuson wrote “Can’t believe I was looking down on YouTube movies at some point. Hunger go don kpai me by now.”
Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo has advised young people who are still living with their parents not to rush into moving out because of peer pressure.
The singer encouraged young people to focus on their personal circumstances rather than compare their lives with those of others. He noted that there is no need to leave their parents’ homes simply because they want to feel independent.
Sharing his advice, Dakolo said “No hurry, leave your papa house because of peer pressure. Forget all that, ‘I don’t have my freedom here.’”
Judge Tells Duane Davis He Must Face Justice for Tupac’s Murder
Timini Egbuson Reflects on Embracing YouTube Movies in Nollywood
