It’s not news that Mavin’s biggest export Rema is dropping his debut album RAVE AND ROSES in March 2022, but what is untapped news is the quality that resides in the album. Everyone wants to know what an album from the no-miss Benin city artiste would sound like; would it be full of hits, or would it sound underwhelming to album-hungry enthusiasts because Rema has made his fans wait a while. Luckily, Mavin records allowed Rema to play his album for a select few in an exclusive pre-listening party, and boy oh boy… what a euphoric experience it was! *sniffs*

Reps from the 49th Street were at this private Rema-themed event, witnessing history live, as Rema, joined by his producers’ played bangers after bangers; an album dedicated to his catchphrase “Another Banger.”

Here are some songs we would love you to look out for on the album as it drops this week on the 25th of March 2022. We’re hoping to have an “I told you” Moment for our picks, so fingers crossed.

DIVINE –

This is the first song off the album and boy… What. A. Song. It is up there with Davido’s Intro, Burna Boy’s Level Up, and Wizkid’s Reckless as one of the best album intros, and it only took one listen for this opinion to be formed. If you don’t know, Sarz produced that beat, and whatever volatile expectation you could have imagined when these two Edo superstars’ link-up was not cut short. One of the best songs on the album.

ADDICTED –

The rumours of Rema alongside his rich production gang (Ozedikus, AndreVibes, Altims (Burssbrain), and London) create a live beat for the fans to experience a Rema studio session is true; and ADDICTED was the song they were cooking. When we tell you that this song will cause wahala, we advise that readers should prepare for their waists to be ruined. Dominic says this is his best song off the album. We hope to see why in a few days.

HOLD ME (FT 6LACK) –

There is something about Rema and his features; he always picks the right artiste that matches/blends seamlessly with his sound. One artiste he has discovered this connection with is 6lack, as it could be seen in Manny Norte’s 4:00 am. On this track, they take it a step further, as they both sound like we would need a joint EP from them soon. A befitting description for this feature would be Black Excellence (literally).

ARE YOU THERE –

If you heard that Rema’s listening party turned into a make-shift ravers mosh-pit, you heard correctly, and this was the song that caused the pandemonium. The song epitomizes everything Rema means when he says ANOTHER BANGER. People didn’t know when they started dancing crazily to a tune they were listening to for the first time. Absolutely breathtaking, and we honestly can’t wait for this to be out everywhere.

DIRTY –

Before Rema introduced this song, he told us point-blank that SOUNDGASM was a “cleaner” version compared to this song; and we love it. Rema has been giving us a little insight into how exciting some aspects of his life are/have been, and in this massive tune, he goes in unhinged. It is one of the noticeable landmarks in his growth that Rema is getting more comfortable being as raw as he wants to be, and this seems to be working positively for him because his fans love it. Otherwise, why would the crowd be screaming “She want it raw raw raw” so passionately when FYN came on?

ALBUM REVIEW

Rema is the undisputed Prince of Afrobeats, and it is clear. This album seems to be a series of arranged melodies, curated carefully to quench the thirst of fans who have been craving new music from Rema for the longest. Rema is going for Album of The Year, and time will tell if there will be any other worthy contender for this award as the year goes by. However, for now, it is Rema’s Season, and we cannot wait for the album to drop.