Nigerian Afropop sensation Rema is back with a fresh track, Baby (Is It a Crime), a sultry Afrobeats single that cleverly samples British-Nigerian soul icon Sade Adu.
The song borrows its titular refrain from Sade’s 1985 classic “Is It a Crime”, infusing it with Rema’s signature style. This marks his first solo release since his feature on BNXN’s “Fi Kan We Kan” in October.
A Nostalgic Yet Modern Take
Produced by P Priime, who played a key role in Rema’s HEIS project, the song transforms Sade’s voice into a hypnotic, baby-like whisper with a vocoder effect, enhancing its dreamy, wistful atmosphere.
The track opens with Sade’s voice breaking through a staticky intro, setting the mood before slick Afrobeats drums kick in. Rema effortlessly blends his signature wiggly trill with smooth Pidgin lyrics:
“Baby, baby sunmoni / You know say you match my steeze / You know I’m a G / Shawty, I’mma always keep it real / I no dey for too much whining.”
Teasers and Fan Anticipation
Rema began teasing Baby (Is It a Crime) in November, sparking excitement on social media. On February 4, he officially announced the track’s release date (February 7) and shared images of himself holding Sade’s Promise vinyl—the very album that features “Is It a Crime.”
On January 30, he posted behind-the-scenes footage from the music video, followed by a live preview at Donavan’s Yard festival in Los Angeles. He was also spotted at Amoeba Music, reportedly purchasing Sade’s Promise—a move that further fueled speculation about the song’s direction.
A Stunning Visual and Perfect Timing
Alongside the single, Rema released an artfully crafted music video, directed by Salomé Gomiz-Trezise. The video complements the song’s dreamy aesthetic, capturing the essence of love, longing, and nostalgia.
The release couldn’t have come at a better time. With his Grammy-nominated album “HEIS“ landing on Rolling Stone’s Best Albums of the Year list, Rema is at the peak of his game.
Baby (Is It a Crime) is yet another testament to why his name keeps resonating across the global music scene.
Listen to “Baby (Is It a Crime)” Here
