Nigerian Afrobeats singer Rema has suddenly announced the cancellation of all his headline shows set for December 2023 over neglected health issues.
The rapidly rising 23-year-old star confessed that he is pulling the plug on commitments this month in order to finally prioritise his health.
“Breaks my heart to say that I won’t be performing anywhere this December,” Rema told disappointed followers via X. “Been years of touring I’ve ignored my health, and I need time to recuperate.”
Rema had been scheduled as the drawcard act for highly anticipated year-end concerts in Lagos, Abuja and Accra, but his post comes as a shock to many.
While devotees reacted with frustration over their cancelled plans, the musician promi vowed to make amends to fans in 2024, implying he would return to the stage healthy after a period of rehab and recovery this winter.
However, Rema’s decision to cancel his shows has been praised by fellow Nigerian star Davido.
Rema has been among the top starts for Nigerian art this year, with his near-ubiquitous song Calm Down, which he sings with Selena Gomez, smashing multiple streaming and chart records.
The song has emerged as the most shazammed of 2023 globally and was last week awarded the best Afrobeats song at the Billboard Music Awards.
Earlier in the month, he wowed football legends at the Ballon D’Or awards, days after Calm Down made history by becoming the longest-charting and most successful African song of all time on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
