Rema - Are You There? Apr 2026

Divine Ikubor, known globally as Rema, has solidified his place as a pioneer of the "Afrorave" sub-genre. While he is predominantly celebrated for his melodic, romance-driven hits like "Calm Down," his debut studio album Rave & Roses (2022) revealed a much more complex artistry. A standout track from this body of work is "Are You There?" , a production by 1Mind that masterfully straddles the line between a high-energy dancehall anthem and a sharp piece of social commentary. The song serves as a direct response to critics who claimed the artist only sang about women, while simultaneously acting as a sonic mirror to the socio-political climate of contemporary Nigeria.

At its core, "Are You There?" is a track fueled by frustration and the pursuit of sanity. Rema opens the song by directly addressing his listeners and critics, stating that he does not want to focus solely on the negativity plaguing his country, but rather provide an avenue to "turn up" and find joy amid chaos. However, as the song progresses, his lyrics become deeply rooted in the harsh realities of Nigerian youth. Rema - Are You There?

He references political apathy, economic struggle, and government corruption with lines like, "The one wey Buhari chop how many he cut for me?" . This lyric points directly to the disconnect between the ruling political elite and the struggles of everyday citizens. Rema captures the unique Nigerian coping mechanism known as "cruise"—the ability to find humor, party, and live life intensely even when surrounded by systemic failure. He highlights this juxtaposition perfectly by noting that even when tragedies strike, people still fill the clubs because life must go on. Rema's 'Are You There?' Demonstrates Growing Anger of | Divine Ikubor, known globally as Rema, has solidified