Rema’s nostalgic touch flips script on Sade’s ‘Is It a Crime’

Nigerian Afropop star Rema blends nostalgia and fashionable sound together with his newest single, ‘Child (Is It a Crime).’

The observe samples Sade Adu’s 1985 hit, fusing basic soul with Afrobeats, making it considered one of 2025’s most anticipated releases within the first quarter.

Rema teased the tune in November 2024, thrilling followers with Instagram and X snippets. UK rapper J Hus even hinted at a visitor verse, however Rema’s silence fuelled hypothesis about clearance points with Sade’s workforce.

On 30 January, he lastly broke the suspense, sharing behind-the-scenes footage of the music video. A day later, he previewed the tune on the Donavan Yard pageant in Los Angeles, additional constructing hype after being noticed at Amoeba Music, reportedly shopping for Sade’s ‘Promise’ album, which options ‘Is It a Crime’.

Lastly, on Friday, ‘Child (Is It a Crime)’ dropped, accompanied by a surprising music video directed by Salomé Gomiz-Trezise.

Lyrics evaluate

Sampling a legend like Sade isn’t any small feat, but Rema confidently reimagines Is It a Crime, mixing sultry nostalgia together with his signature sound.

The observe begins with Sade’s unmistakable voice, her haunting query—“Is it against the law?”—piercing by a crackling, classic filter. Then, P.Priime’s manufacturing kicks in with crisp Afrobeats percussion, ushering in Rema’s velvety thrill.

The 24-year-old’s lyrics exude confidence, flirtation, and vulnerability. The singer oscillates between poetic seduction and streetwise bravado, utilizing Nigerian pidgin and Yoruba to craft a extra private, rhythmic cadence.

The observe’s sensual vitality shines as Rema blends attraction together with his ‘unhealthy boy’ attraction, conserving it playful but charming.

The refrain units the tone: “Child, súnmọ́ mí / You understand say you match my steeze / You understand I’m a G”. Rema urges the girl to come back nearer, assuring her he’s correct and freed from drama. Because the temper shifts with “shayo” (alcohol), he desires her to benefit from the second with out worries.

Within the first verse, he guarantees to at all times be there for her, balancing his “unhealthy boy” facet with a extra non-public, caring nature. The road “Child, anytime you want me, I dey out there” reveals his dedication to her.

In verse two, Rema expresses his deep admiration, evaluating her to a weapon to indicate how mesmerised he’s, highlighting his obsession. In verse three, the singer’s love turns into extra extravagant, promising luxurious presents like a Birkin bag and an Audemars Piguet watch. The road “Your case dey above the regulation” suggests she’s so particular that she’s past guidelines or limits.

Because the tune progresses, Rema strikes from deep craving to lavish admiration, utilizing luxurious symbols like Birkin and Audemars Piguet to mix love with standing, mirroring fashionable youth tradition’s obsession with social media and wealth.

Visible Aesthetic: A Nod to the ‘90s

The accompanying music video leans right into a high-quality ‘90s aesthetic, starkly contrasting the futuristic themes and elegance of Rema’s ‘HEIS’ album. The ‘Child (Is It a Crime)’ opening scene options Rema shrouded in smoke, flipping open an old school cellphone to name his love curiosity.

Clad in a fur jacket, he exudes easy cool as he navigates a neon-lit membership, the place fleeting encounters with numerous girls solely gasoline the pursuit of his dark-skinned muse.

One of many video’s most placing moments comes when Rema cruises by town in a bouncing pink classic automobile, a nostalgic visible paying homage to basic R&B movies. Because the observe reaches its climax, he and his love curiosity embrace, sealing their reference to a passionate cuddle and kiss—a cinematic parallel to the longing and depth present in Sade’s authentic tune.

Sade vs. Rema: Story of Two Eras

To completely admire Rema’s reinterpretation, it’s important to revisit the story behind Sade’s Is It a Crime? The tune, a follow-up to The Sweetest Taboo, narrates the aftermath of a love gone improper.

Within the authentic music video, Sade’s love curiosity, Temor, wanders the streets of New York, trying to find her after their breakup. The narrative, crammed with melancholy and uncooked emotion, contrasts sharply with Rema’s take, which leans in the direction of playful want and assured pursuit.

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The place Sade’s model delves into heartbreak and longing, Rema’s flips the script—he isn’t mourning love; he’s asserting his declare to it. Whereas Sade questions the legitimacy of her emotions, Rema operates with certainty, reaffirming his presence in his lover’s life.

Verdict

There isn’t a doubt that Rema refuses to be boxed in, always reinventing himself. ‘Child (Is It a Crime)’ isn’t only a tune—it’s an announcement, mixing nostalgia together with his signature sound. By reimagining Sade’s basic, he bridges eras, making the outdated really feel new whereas conserving it undeniably Rema. With its rhythm and daring method—one factor is bound—Rema is aware of get folks speaking, and in music, dialog is simply as highly effective as melody.

‘Child (Is It a Crime)’ is rated 6/10.

Watch Rema’s video under.

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