Nigerian singer Divine Ikubor, better known as Rema, has spoken candidly about the circumstances that led to his smoking habits.

The 24-year-old singer stated that he started smoking in order to feel free and young because the death of his father greatly affected his early years.

Rema stated during an interview with GRM Daily that he was forced to sell his childhood in order to support his family his most of the responsibilities were left to him.

Rema bemoaned that even though he was an adult when he decided to smoke, people still criticized him for it because he was a celebrity.

He said, “I really wanted to feel like a child again… I feel like I grew up too fast. Life switched up on me crazy when I lost my dad and my brother. The weight was just on my shoulder and forced me to sell my childhood to provide for my family.

“God willing, everything happened well, it happened fast. And with fast fame, comes fast maturity. It’s just like never ending level of seriousness. So much adults. So much meetings. I didn’t even rolled with my age mates.

“So this project [‘HeIs’], I just want to be a child. And it’s coming out. It’s not me forcing it out. It just sparked in my spirit. I just want to feel young again. I just to be a rebel. You know, kids make mistakes and it’s acceptable. But when you’re a teenager and you make the same mistake your peers would make, everyone will come for you just because you’re in the spotlight.

“I know people who smoked a cigarette when they were 13 and I’m 24 smoking a cigarette because I just want to feel free and break some rules. All my life just feel so planned and scheduled. I just got tired.”

Recall that singer Cynthia Morgan recently called Rema out over his smoking habits. According to her, she would hold Don Jazzy responsible should anything happen to Rema due to his excessive smoking.

Speaking further, she stated that Rema was not an ardent smoker hence his record label should pay attention to him and stop him from smoking.

GA