Rema pre-show rituals came to light during a candid Dazed interview at Milan Fashion Week. The Nigerian superstar spoke backstage at the Diesel FW26 show. He had just walked the runway for the Italian fashion house. Yet rather than discussing fashion, the conversation turned to something more personal — what happens in those final moments before he takes the stage for a live performance.
What Rema Pre-Show Rituals Actually Look Like
His answer was refreshingly honest. A little tequila. A little cigarette. Prayer. Then he taps in with the team to make sure everything runs on cue. There was no polished, media-trained response. Instead, Rema described a routine that blends indulgence with spirituality. He explained that performing is far more demanding than walking a runway. The stage requires careful breathwork. It demands intense energy management. A concert pulls everything from him physically, emotionally, and mentally. Walking for Diesel, by comparison, felt almost relaxed.
The honesty resonated with fans online. Many appreciated the contradiction at the heart of his routine. Prayer sits alongside a cigarette. Spiritual grounding meets physical release. That tension feels very human. Moreover, it offers a glimpse into the pressure that artists at Rema’s level face night after night. Every show demands peak performance. The rituals that get you there are rarely glamorous.
Sudanese Music and New Sonic Influences
However, the interview revealed something else entirely unexpected. Rema shared that he currently immerses himself in Sudanese cultural live music. He did not elaborate extensively on which artists or traditions he listens to. Yet even mentioning it signals a fascinating sonic detour. Rema has always absorbed widely. His previous work drew from Indian music, Latin rhythms, and Caribbean sounds. Afrorave, his self-coined genre, already blends multiple global influences. Adding Sudanese live music to that palette could push his sound in genuinely new directions.
He also admitted candidly that smoking remains his biggest vice. The statement felt like Rema being Rema — unfiltered and aware of his own contradictions. Together, these details paint a portrait of an artist who processes the world through his senses. Music, prayer, smoke, tequila. Each element feeds into his creative engine.
What This Tells Us About Rema’s Next Chapter
Rema never stops absorbing. That quality defines his career. From ‘Dumebi’ to ‘Calm Down’ to the HEIS album, every project has expanded his sonic range. Now, with Sudanese live music entering his listening rotation, the next album could take yet another unexpected turn. Furthermore, his willingness to discuss vulnerability — prayer alongside vice — shows an artist comfortable with contradiction. That emotional honesty has always fuelled his best work.
Whether he is walking for Diesel, headlining arenas, or sitting backstage with a tequila in hand, Rema approaches every moment with intention. That mix of spirituality, vulnerability, and supreme confidence defines his artistry. Thanks to this Dazed interview, fans now understand a little more about the rituals that keep the fire burning.