Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Rema has once again taken the music scene by storm with his latest single, Baby (Is It a Crime), released on Friday, February 7. The highly anticipated track samples Sade’s 1985 classic Is It a Crime, blending Rema’s signature Afro-fusion style with the timeless smooth jazz influence of the legendary British-Nigerian singer.
The Mavin Global and Jonzing World signee first teased the song in November, sharing a now-viral 1-minute, 21-second clip of himself casually smoking while vibing to the unreleased track. Fans immediately latched onto the mesmerizing melody and cryptic lyrics: “Baby, baby sunmoni/ You know say you match my steeze/ You know I’m a G/ Shawty I’mma always keep it real.”
Rema’s love for Is It a Crime was further confirmed earlier this week when he was spotted carrying a vinyl copy of Sade’s Promise album at Amoeba Records in Hollywood, California. The original track, released in 1985, reached No. 32 on the Adult Contemporary chart and No. 55 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, making it one of Sade’s most memorable hits.
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The 23-year-old hitmaker continues his meteoric rise following the success of his sophomore album, Heis, which dropped in July under Mavin Global, Jonzing World, and Interscope Records. The 11-track project, featuring chart-toppers like Benin Boys (featuring Shallipopi), HEHEHE, and War Machine (with Odumodublvck), made waves internationally, peaking at No. 7 on Billboard’s World Albums chart.
Rema’s influence on the global music industry was further solidified when Heis earned him his first-ever Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album. Speaking at the 2025 Grammys red carpet, he shared his excitement: “It’s a great honor. Seeing the Grammys show me this love, show me this respect, it shows that I’m doing something that is impacting way beyond my space, way beyond how I imagine it on a global scale. Being able to represent Afrobeats here, it’s amazing.”
With Baby (Is It a Crime) already generating buzz and fans dissecting every lyric, Rema’s latest release is poised to dominate streaming platforms and further cement his status as one of Afrobeats’ biggest global icons.
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