Without making too much of a fuss about it, Rema has firmly earned his place as one of Afrobeats’ most bankable hitmakers. His career was already packed with major records before his sophomore era, but HEIS made the case even clearer: Rema has been operating several levels above his peers for a long time.
HEIS was a juggernaut of an era, giving Rema even more control over his sound, his image and the world he was building around his music. Now, as one of Afrobeats’ most exciting young stars gears up for his next chapter, we’re looking ahead by looking back.
Before the new era begins, here’s our ranking of some of the best songs Rema has given us so far.
1. Dumebi
The record that announced Rema to the world. “Dumebi” had the melody, weirdness and youthful energy that would become central to his sound, but there was something immediately undeniable about it. Seven years later, it still sounds like Rema.
2. Calm Down — feat. Selena Gomez
The song that changed everything. “Calm Down” was already a massive Rema record, but the Selena Gomez remix turned it into a global phenomenon, eventually becoming one of the biggest Afrobeats crossover records ever.
3. Baby (Is It a Crime)
Rema takes the seductive, nostalgic qualities of Sade’s “Is It a Crime?” and turns them into something completely his own. Smooth without being sleepy, romantic without losing his swagger, it’s one of his strongest post-HEIS records.
4. HOV
“HOV” is Rema operating at maximum confidence. There’s an almost reckless quality to the record, but underneath it is a rapper and songwriter completely comfortable with his own mythology.
5. OZEBA
One of the clearest examples of what made HEIS such a compelling era. “OZEBA” is loud, chaotic and slightly unhinged, but that’s precisely the point. Rema sounds like he’s having fun breaking his own rules.
6. Who’s Dat Girl — Ayra Starr feat. Rema
Rema doesn’t even have to be the lead artist for his presence to take over a record. His chemistry with Ayra Starr makes “Who’s Dat Girl” feel like a natural meeting of two of Mavin’s biggest stars.
7. Troublemaker
“Troublemaker” is Rema embracing the character that has followed him throughout his career. Flirtatious, cocky and mischievous, it’s the kind of record that sounds unmistakably like him within seconds.
8. Tea
“Tea” is Rema at his most effortless. The production leaves enough room for his melodies and personality to do the heavy lifting, resulting in a record that feels playful without trying too hard.
9. March Am
“March Am” is Rema leaning into the experimental side of his sound. It’s hypnotic, unpredictable and slightly strange, which is exactly why it works.
