Rave & Roses
Rave & Roses is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer and songwriter Rema, released on March 25, 2022, through the labels Jonzing World and Mavin Records.[1][2] The 16-track project blends Afrobeats with influences from pop, R&B, dembow, synthpop, and amapiano, while exploring themes of love, addiction, fate, youthful energy, and introspection through the contrasting motifs of "rave" (high-energy escapism) and "roses" (emotional vulnerability and loss).[1][3] The album marks a significant milestone in Rema's career, building on his rise to prominence since 2019 with viral hits like "Dumebi" and showcasing his growth as an artist under the mentorship of Mavin Records founder Don Jazzy.[4] Key tracks include the lead single "Soundgasm," a seductive Afrobeats track highlighting Rema's falsetto and guitar-driven production, and "Calm Down," an infectious earworm that became a global breakout with its 2022 remix featuring Selena Gomez, propelling the album's international reach.[3] Other notable collaborations feature American singer 6lack on "Hold Me" and a guest appearance by D'Prince on "No Turning Back," with production largely handled by the Nigerian team including London, Kelebeatz, and Andre Vibez.[2][5] Upon release, Rave & Roses received positive critical reception for its vibrant production and Rema's charismatic delivery, earning a 7.2 out of 10 from Pitchfork, which praised its "plush and detailed" soundscapes despite noting occasional lyrical inconsistencies.[3] Commercially, it debuted at number one on Apple Music charts in 52 countries and peaked at number two on the Billboard World Albums chart, where it has accumulated 161 weeks as of November 2025, making it one of the longest-charting African albums on that tally.[6][7] In 2023, an expanded edition titled Rave & Roses (Ultra) added six new tracks, including the hit "Holiday," further boosting its streams to over 3.1 billion on Spotify as of October 2025 and cementing Rema's role in globalizing Afrobeats.[8][9] The album has also achieved platinum certification in Canada for over 80,000 units sold, underscoring its enduring impact.[10]Background and development
Announcement and concept
In May 2021, Rema first introduced the concept of "Afrorave" through social media posts and interviews, describing it as an innovative fusion of Afrobeats with Arabian and Indian musical elements to create a fresh, boundary-pushing sound.[11] Later that July, he announced his debut album Rave & Roses via Twitter, teasing it as a project that would embody this new genre and marking a significant milestone in his career following his EPs.[12][13] The core concept of Rave & Roses revolves around Rema's personal duality, with "Rave" symbolizing his high-energy, youthful exuberance and infectious vibe, and "Roses" representing his more introspective, sensitive, and emotional facets.[14] As Rema explained, "This album has different moods, different stories".[14] This thematic split allows the album to explore contrasting sides of his identity, blending vibrant, party-driven tracks with vulnerable, reflective moments. Drawing from his roots in Benin City, Nigeria, Rema infused the project with local Afrobeats traditions while incorporating global influences like Arabian rhythms and Indian melodies to reflect his evolving worldview and ambition to elevate African music internationally.[15][16] He has noted that his Benin City upbringing shaped his drive to pioneer Afrorave as a movement, inspiring local youth to express themselves through this hybrid style while aiming for worldwide resonance.[16] This blend not only portrays Rema's dual personality but also positions the album as a bridge between his cultural heritage and broader global sounds.Genre innovation
Rema coined the term "Afrorave" to describe his unique interpretation of Afrobeats, defining it as a subgenre that emphasizes melody, delivery, diversity, and flexibility to integrate with various beat patterns, including those beyond traditional Afro sounds.[15] This fusion blends core Afrobeats rhythms with electronic elements, trap beats, and global pop influences, creating a dance-oriented sound that extends the genre's boundaries.[17] Through Afrorave, Rema positions his music as a versatile extension of Nigerian pop, incorporating electropop and UK funky vibes to heighten its party-ready appeal.[18] Rema's intent behind developing Afrorave was to forge a distinctive sonic identity for Nigerian music, evolving Afrobeats into a more global and adaptable form while honoring its roots.[15] Drawing from his upbringing in Benin City, where he absorbed local rhythms and cultural vibrancy, Rema infused the subgenre with an energetic, youthful edge reflective of his early experiences.[19] His international travels to places like Ghana, the UK, and Europe further shaped this vision, exposing him to diverse sounds that he sought to weave into Afrobeats to "take our culture and spread it to the world."[15] The structure of Rave & Roses embodies Afrorave's innovative duality, contrasting "rave" sections with high-energy, party-driven tracks that fuse Afrobeats percussion with electronic synths and trap basslines, against "roses" segments featuring more introspective, emotionally layered compositions blending world music motifs and reflective melodies.[20] This binary framework allows for seamless genre fusion across the album's composition, where upbeat rave elements transition into rose-like vulnerability, as seen in tracks like "Soundgasm" that merge dembow rhythms with hedonistic synthpop.[3] By balancing these poles, Rave & Roses pioneers Afrorave as a holistic sound that captures both exuberance and depth, redefining Afrobeats' emotional range.[18]Recording and production
Process and locations
The recording of Rave & Roses spanned from 2020 to 2022, beginning with initial sessions in Ghana before shifting primarily to Nigeria.[21] Most of the album was captured in Rema's home studio in Benin City, where he emphasized maintaining a familial atmosphere to foster creativity.[16] Additional work took place in professional studios in Lagos, with final refinements occurring in Los Angeles after Rema returned from international commitments.[19] Rema adopted a hands-on method throughout the process, starting with writing lyrics and demoing tracks in his Benin City home setup using software like FL Studio for initial beats and a Neumann TLM 103 microphone for vocals.[21] These rough drafts were then refined in Lagos studios with tools such as Logic Pro for recording and mixing, allowing Rema to actively participate in beat production and vocal layering.[21] This iterative approach enabled him to infuse personal experiences into the music while transitioning from informal home environments to more polished professional spaces.[16] The COVID-19 pandemic presented logistical hurdles, particularly in adapting to remote collaboration for international features. Despite these constraints, the multi-year timeline allowed for flexible adjustments, culminating in the album's completion by early 2022.[19]Key collaborators
The production of Rave & Roses relied heavily on a core group of producers who shaped its Afro-rave sound. Nigerian-British producer London handled the majority of the album's 16 tracks, fostering a strong synergy with Rema through his contributions to songs like "Soundgasm," where he co-produced with Dro and Shanti.[3] Andre Vibez, another key figure, contributed to multiple tracks, including co-producing the breakout single "Calm Down" with London.[22] Sarz opened the album with production on the introductory track "Divine," setting an energetic tone, while others such as Kel P (also known as Kelebeatz) and Dez Wright added to the project's diverse beats across various songs.[23][22][24] Featured artists brought international flair to the album, enhancing its global appeal. American R&B singer 6lack appeared on "Hold Me," delivering introspective verses that complemented Rema's vibe.[22] Chris Brown collaborated on "Time N Affection," infusing the track with his signature smooth harmonies.[22] British rapper AJ Tracey joined for "FYN" (featuring Bentley and Bugatti references in lyrics), adding UK drill influences.[22] Mavin Records affiliate D'Prince featured on "No Turning Back." On the deluxe edition, French artist Yseult featured on "Wine," expanding the album's cross-cultural elements.[22] These partnerships were secured through Rema's established ties to Mavin Records and its imprint Jonzing World, which facilitated targeted international outreach to align with the album's vision of blending Afrobeat with global sounds.[22] The label's network enabled handpicked features that reflected Rema's rising profile and desire for diverse sonic explorations.[22]Music and lyrics
Musical style
Rave & Roses predominantly draws on Afrobeats foundations, incorporating electronic synths, trap beats, and global samples to forge an innovative sonic palette. The album's production, led by London, blends pulsating percussion and log drums typical of Afrobeats with synthetic elements like shimmering synth leads and heavy 808 bass lines, creating a hybrid sound that Rema has dubbed "Afrorave".[22] Notable global influences include Indian flutes in the track "Divine," which add an ethereal, melodic layer to the upbeat opener, and Arabian motifs in "FYN," featuring AJ Tracey, that infuse oriental scales and rhythms into the trap-infused beat.[21] The album strikes a dynamic balance between high-energy "rave" sections and more introspective "rose" ballads, reflecting its titular duality. High-energy tracks like "Soundgasm" and "Dirty" emphasize upbeat tempos, driving trap beats with booming 808s and layered electronic effects to evoke club-ready euphoria. In contrast, rose-like ballads such as "Time N Affection" and "Oroma Baby" adopt a more measured pace, featuring acoustic guitars and minimalistic instrumentation for a tender, emotive feel. This contrast allows the album to alternate between dancefloor intensity and reflective vulnerability.[21] Production innovations further enhance the Afrorave hybrid, with techniques like layered vocals and auto-tune effects prominently shaping Rema's delivery. London's approach involves multi-tracked harmonies and subtle pitch correction to give Rema's voice a futuristic sheen, as heard in "Addicted," where vocal stacking creates depth amid swirling synths. These elements not only amplify the album's global appeal but also maintain a cohesive thread across its 16 tracks, prioritizing sonic experimentation within accessible Afrobeats structures.[21]Themes and songwriting
Rave & Roses explores central themes of love and heartbreak, often intertwined with the duality of fame and personal introspection, alongside expressions of cultural pride rooted in Nigerian identity. The album's title itself symbolizes this contrast, with "Rave" representing Rema's youthful energy and hedonistic escapism, while "Roses" reflects his personal narrative of loss and resilience, including the deaths of his father and brother, as detailed in the opening track "Divine," where he honors his mother's sacrifices and his Benin City upbringing.[20][25] Songs like "Calm Down" exemplify romantic reassurance amid fame's temptations, portraying a plea for a relationship to endure external pressures, such as meeting a partner at a party while navigating stardom's distractions.[26] In "Are You There?," Rema addresses mental strain from societal negativity in Nigeria, opting for positivity and peace over confrontation, underscoring a theme of seeking solace in creativity.[3] Rema's songwriting style is poetic yet conversational, blending Pidgin English, Yoruba, Igbo, and English to create an authentic, multilingual flow that prioritizes emotional resonance over literal meaning, sometimes incorporating nonsensical phrases for rhythmic effect. This approach draws from personal experiences, including ambition and loss, as seen in tracks like "Addicted," which delves into obsessive love and vulnerability, and "Time N Affection," where he navigates relational complexities with introspective verses. Critics note occasional simplistic rhymes, such as in "Calm Down"'s "mellow girl dressed in yellow," but praise the melodic delivery that enhances the lyrics' playful intimacy.[25][3] Rema has described his process as organic, emphasizing vulnerability in lyrics about deep romantic attachments, as potentially inspired by a single muse across songs like "Addicted" and "Soundgasm."[25] Compared to his earlier EPs like Rema (2019) and Bad Commando (2019), which featured lighter, more party-oriented narratives, Rave & Roses demonstrates matured storytelling, incorporating deeper reflections on mental health, familial grief, and the pressures of global fame. Tracks such as "Divine" mark this growth, shifting from youthful bravado to contemplative maturity at age 21, while maintaining cultural pride through references to Nigerian heritage and Afrobeats evolution.[25][1] This progression highlights Rema's intent to bridge personal authenticity with broader cultural representation, fostering unity in Afrobeats.[25]Release and promotion
Singles
The lead single from Rave & Roses, "Soundgasm", was released on June 10, 2021, and accompanied by an official music video directed by TG Omori, which debuted on YouTube and garnered significant views in Nigeria.[27] The track, produced by London, Santi, and Dro, emphasized Rema's signature Afrobeats sound with electronic influences, contributing to pre-album buzz through radio airplay on stations like Beat FM Lagos.[28] It peaked at number three on the TurnTable Top 50 chart, marking Rema's highest position on that ranking at the time and establishing early momentum for the album.[28] "Calm Down" followed as the second single on February 11, 2022, also featuring an official music video that highlighted romantic themes in a vibrant Lagos setting.[29] The original version received heavy radio rotation across African markets, building anticipation for the album's March release.[30] A remix featuring Selena Gomez, released on August 25, 2022, dramatically expanded its global reach, debuting at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the US Afrobeats Songs chart.[31] The remix achieved multi-platinum certifications, including 6× Platinum in the United States for over 6 million units and 2× Platinum in the United Kingdom for 1.2 million units, underscoring its role in elevating Afrobeats internationally.[32][33] The third single, "FYN" featuring British rapper AJ Tracey, arrived on March 11, 2022, just weeks before the album's launch, with a lyric video released to platforms like YouTube to drive streaming.[34] Produced by Kel-P, the song explores themes of luxury and success through lyrics referencing opulent lifestyles, such as "neck and my wrist icy," blending Afrobeats with UK drill elements. It received promotional radio play in both Nigeria and the UK, entering the UK Afrobeats Chart at number five and contributing to cross-cultural hype for Rave & Roses.[35] These singles were strategically rolled out over nine months to sustain interest, each paired with visuals and targeted radio pushes on urban contemporary stations, fostering viral social media engagement and setting the stage for the album's commercial impact.[36]Marketing and deluxe edition
The marketing campaign for Rave & Roses began building anticipation in early 2022, with Rema announcing the album on February 10 via a social media post that highlighted its "Afrorave" concept and shares new single "Calm Down."[37] This was followed by an official album trailer released on March 21, which teased the project's energetic visuals and sound, garnering significant engagement on platforms like YouTube and Instagram to hype the debut.[38] Mavin Records, Rema's label, played a central role in these efforts, partnering with digital platforms for pre-save campaigns and coordinating cross-promotional content to amplify reach across Africa and global audiences.[22] The album launched on March 25, 2022, available in digital formats on major streaming services through Jonzing World and Mavin Records, with physical CD editions distributed shortly after via select retailers.[22] Promotion extended to experiential events, including a customized warehouse activation in Lagos organized by Yard Agency, which immersed 400 fans in the album's thematic universe through interactive installations and live performances.[39] To sustain momentum, Rema embarked on the Rave & Roses World Tour in April 2022, featuring headline shows in Nigeria, European cities like London, and North American venues starting in August, blending album tracks with high-energy sets to connect with international fans.[40] On April 28, 2023, the deluxe edition titled Rave & Roses Ultra was released, expanding the original 16 tracks to 22 by adding six new tracks—"Holiday," "Jo," "Time N Affection" featuring Chris Brown, "Diaa," "Peace of Mind," and "Dunno Me (Freestyle)"—alongside the Selena Gomez remix of "Calm Down."[41][8] This update aimed to prolong the album's relevance amid the global success of its singles, introducing fresh collaborations and material to refresh the project for ongoing tours and streaming consumption.[42] The release coincided with announcements for an extended North American leg of the world tour, further integrating the edition into live performances and merchandise tie-ins.[43]Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Upon its release in March 2022, Rave & Roses received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Rema's debut album for its vibrant energy and innovative blend of Afrobeats with global influences such as trap, dembow, and synthpop.[3][44] The album earned an average critic score of 76 out of 100 across major outlets, reflecting its appeal as a confident showcase of the artist's versatility.[45] Reviewers highlighted the album's energetic production and genre fusion as standout elements, noting how producer London and collaborators crafted tracks that fused sub-Saharan rhythms with emo-trap and '80s-inspired drums for a dynamic listening experience.[3][46] Clash awarded it 8/10, calling it "an assured debut, one that is delivered with remarkable confidence" and commending its full-spectrum exploration of Rema's sound.[44] Pitchfork specifically lauded the "supreme earworm" "Calm Down" for its staccato delivery and hypnotic guitar loop, which exemplified the album's spirited playfulness and broad rhythmic range.[3] Some critics offered mixed assessments, pointing to inconsistencies in songwriting and pacing that occasionally undermined the project's cohesion. Pitchfork noted that while Rema had "figured out exactly how he wants to sound," the lyrics often relied on lazy rhyme schemes and lacked depth, preventing stronger tracks from reaching excellence.[3] Similarly, The Native gave it 7.7/10, appreciating the genre-hopping but critiquing redundant love themes and suggesting certain songs could have been cut for a tighter flow.[46] Crack Magazine, scoring it 7/10, acknowledged the broad commercial appeal through tactical features but implied the songwriting's simplicity sometimes felt unrefined amid the experimental flair.[47]Accolades and retrospective views
Rave & Roses and its singles earned notable recognition in the years following its release. At the 2023 Headies Awards, Rema secured wins for Best Male Artist in Africa, Digital Artist of the Year, and African Artist of the Year, accolades that underscored the album's influence on his rising prominence. The lead single "Calm Down," especially the remix featuring Selena Gomez, triumphed in the inaugural Best Afrobeats category at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards while also receiving nominations for Song of the Year and Best Collaboration. These honors marked a breakthrough for Afrobeats on global stages, though the track faced a widely discussed snub at the Grammy Awards despite its unprecedented streaming achievements. From 2023 to 2025, critics and industry observers have retrospectively praised Rave & Roses for accelerating the globalization of Afrobeats through its innovative fusion of genres and international appeal. The 2023 Ultra edition amplified this legacy, achieving over 3.1 billion streams on Spotify as of October 2025—the first African project to do so—and similarly surpassing 3 billion streams on YouTube Music as of June 2025, cementing its status as a landmark in digital-era African music.[48][49] Billboard retrospectives emphasized its sustained dominance, with the album logging more than 160 weeks on the Billboard World Albums chart as of November 2025 and maintaining a presence across four consecutive years (2022–2025), a testament to its enduring commercial and cultural resonance.[7] The album profoundly elevated Rema's career, transforming him from a rising Nigerian talent into a global Afrobeats ambassador and inspiring hybrid styles that merge traditional rhythms with pop, trap, and electronic elements. Rolling Stone credited Rave & Roses with positioning Rema as a visionary in the genre's expansion, particularly through hits like "Calm Down" that bridged African sounds with worldwide audiences. Publications such as The New Yorker highlighted its role in evolving Afrobeats beyond dance anthems, fostering deeper emotional and experimental expressions that influenced subsequent artists and solidified the genre's international footprint.Commercial performance
Chart positions
Rave & Roses achieved notable international chart success, driven primarily by heightened streaming activity following the August 2022 release of the "Calm Down" remix featuring Selena Gomez, which propelled the album onto major global rankings despite its original March 2022 launch. The remix's viral popularity led to the album's debut on the US Billboard 200 in the chart week ending January 28, 2023, at number 196, with subsequent re-entries culminating in a peak of number 37 during the week of September 30, 2023. By July 2024, it had accumulated over 100 weeks on the Billboard 200, marking it as one of the longest-charting African albums on the tally. On the US World Albums chart, the project debuted in the top 10 shortly after the remix's impact and reached a peak of number 2, maintaining a presence for 161 non-consecutive weeks as of November 2025.[7] In Canada, Rave & Roses entered the Canadian Albums chart in early 2023 amid the remix's momentum, peaking at number 15 and logging over 52 consecutive weeks by September 2023, with continued presence exceeding 150 non-consecutive weeks as of November 2025. The album's Ultra edition, released on April 28, 2023, with additional tracks including "Charm," spurred further re-entries across international charts that year, extending its overall run and contributing to sustained visibility. For year-end performance, it ranked number 28 on the 2023 Top Canadian Albums chart, reflecting its consistent streaming and sales in the region. The success of singles like the "Calm Down" remix directly boosted album equivalent units through increased on-demand streams.| Chart (2022–2025) | Peak position | Weeks charted (as of November 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Albums (Billboard) | 15 | 150+ |
| US Billboard 200 | 37 | 100+ |
| US World Albums (Billboard) | 2 | 161 |
Sales and certifications
Rave & Roses, particularly its Ultra edition released in 2023, has achieved significant streaming success, surpassing 3.1 billion streams on Spotify as of November 2025, marking it as the most-streamed African album on the platform.[50] This milestone was largely propelled by the lead single "Calm Down," which alone garnered over 1.5 billion streams and earned a 2× Diamond certification in France from SNEP for exceeding 1 million units. The album's overall streaming performance reflects its global appeal, with additional contributions from tracks like "Soundgasm" and "Bend Silly," contributing to Rema's total artist streams exceeding 5 billion on Spotify.[51] The album has received multiple international certifications, highlighting its commercial impact across various markets. In Canada, it was certified Platinum by Music Canada in July 2023 for sales and streams equivalent to 80,000 units.[52] France's SNEP awarded Platinum certification in March 2024 for 100,000 units, later upgrading to Diamond status by 2025 for surpassing 500,000 units.[53] In Poland, the Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry (ZPAV) certified it Platinum after reaching 20,000 units, following an initial Gold award in 2023 for 10,000 units. Switzerland's IFPI certified the album Platinum in 2023 for 20,000 units, making it the first African album to achieve this level there. In the United States, the RIAA granted Gold certification to the Ultra edition in December 2023 for 500,000 equivalent units, a historic first for an Afrobeats debut album.[54] Brazil's Pro-Música Brasil certified the Deluxe version 2× Platinum in September 2024 for 80,000 units.[55]| Country | Certifying Body | Certification | Units Sold/Streamed | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil (Deluxe) | Pro-Música Brasil | 2× Platinum | 80,000 | September 2024 |
| Canada | Music Canada | Platinum | 80,000 | July 2023 |
| France | SNEP | Diamond | 500,000+ | 2025 |
| Poland | ZPAV | Platinum | 20,000 | 2024 |
| Switzerland | IFPI Switzerland | Platinum | 20,000 | 2023 |
| United States (Ultra) | RIAA | Gold | 500,000 | December 2023 |
Track listing and credits
Standard and deluxe editions
The standard edition of Rave & Roses consists of 16 tracks with a total runtime of 59:09.[1] The album was primarily written by Rema (Divine Ikubor), who composed the majority of the songs without external songwriters.[58] Featured artists on select tracks are credited as co-writers where applicable.| No. | Title | Featured artist(s) | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Divine" | Rema | 3:33 | |
| 2 | "Hold Me" | 6LACK | Rema, 6LACK | 4:09 |
| 3 | "Dirty" | Rema | 3:43 | |
| 4 | "Calm Down" | Rema | 3:39 | |
| 5 | "Soundgasm" | Rema | 3:24 | |
| 6 | "Time N Affection" | Chris Brown | Rema, Chris Brown | 3:53 |
| 7 | "Jo" | Rema | 3:07 | |
| 8 | "Mara" | Rema | 2:59 | |
| 9 | "Love" | Rema | 4:11 | |
| 10 | "Addicted" | Rema | 4:32 | |
| 11 | "Are You There?" | Rema | 3:14 | |
| 12 | "FYN" | AJ Tracey | Rema, AJ Tracey | 3:27 |
| 13 | "Oroma Baby" | Rema | 3:29 | |
| 14 | "Carry" | Rema | 3:42 | |
| 15 | "Wine" | Yseult | Rema, Yseult | 3:50 |
| 16 | "Runaway" | Rema | 4:20 |
| No. | Title | Featured artist(s) | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Divine" | Rema | 3:33 | |
| 2 | "Hold Me" | 6LACK | Rema, 6LACK | 4:09 |
| 3 | "Dirty" | Rema | 3:42 | |
| 4 | "Calm Down" | Rema | 3:39 | |
| 5 | "Soundgasm" | Rema | 3:24 | |
| 6 | "Wine" | Yseult | Rema, Yseult | 3:11 |
| 7 | "Holiday" | Rema | 3:28 | |
| 8 | "Jo" | Rema | 3:07 | |
| 9 | "Time N Affection" | Chris Brown | Rema, Chris Brown | 3:53 |
| 10 | "Charm" | Rema | 2:39 | |
| 11 | "Are You There?" | Rema | 3:14 | |
| 12 | "Reason You" | Rema | 3:30 | |
| 13 | "Love" | Rema | 4:11 | |
| 14 | "Addicted" | Rema | 4:32 | |
| 15 | "Reel It In" | Rema | 3:43 | |
| 16 | "Peace of Mind" | Rema | 3:30 | |
| 17 | "Oroma Baby" | Rema | 3:30 | |
| 18 | "Bend It" | Omah Lay | Rema, Omah Lay | 3:29 |
| 19 | "Mirage" | Rema | 3:19 | |
| 20 | "No Worry" | D'yani | Rema, D'yani | 3:03 |
| 21 | "HOV" | Rema | 2:18 | |
| 22 | "Mara" | Rema | 2:59 |