By Afolabi Samuel Odunayo
Confirming Portable’s statement about the lucrativeness of music over football, netizens have been reeling out opinions after Rema’s alleged gig revenue at a wedding in India.
It would be recalled that, in 2023, Rema’s Calm Down peaked at no.1 during his tour in India.
Following his popularity, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, on July 12, 2024, was invited to perform the hit song ‘Calm Down’ at the wedding of Anant Ambani, son of Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s wealthiest man.
The event of the nuptial ceremony occurred at the Jio World Centre in Bandra Kurla Centre (BKC), Mumbai.
Rema was alleged to have performed only that song to receive a fee that is worth ₹25 crore (three million dollars and) amounting to 4.7billion in Nigerian currency.
The much talked about wedding was between Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, daughter of Viren and Shaila Merchant, who are known business leaders in th Indian healthcare sector.
Reacting, netizens have taken to their various social media platforms, commenting on Rema’s great feat.
With particular interest in the alleged fee, several online opinions have been aired. While some gained strong motivations to start their music career, others criticised the rich Indian families for lavishly wasting money on frivolity instead of helping the poor.
@OlamideAngel said, “I’m quitting my job to become a musician, or maybe just a wedding singer.
“We’re dying over here! Meanwhile, Rema’s just over here living his best life and we’re not hating. In fact, we’re low-key inspired to step up our music game.
“On a more serious note, this achievement is a testament to Rema’s hard work and talent. We’re proud to see African artistes making waves and getting the recognition they deserve.”
@Solomon_King says on X, “Hold up, let us get this straight, Rema just bagged a whopping N4.5 billion ($3 million) for singing one song at some rich kid’s wedding?!
“One song? We’re talking about a sum that could solve Nigeria’s economic problems, okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but you get the point.
“Rema just made more money than I’ll see in a lifetime and I’m still struggling to pay my rent.
“I need to start singing.”
According to @blacktribemusic, “Only this Rema’s song alone has made him one of the biggest artistes in Africa. Bigger than the top guys una dey reason self.
“Rema is too big to be underrated by Nigerians, he’s just 22 but making more money.
“Another day to remind y’all that music money is longer than football own.”
Rebutting the precedent opinions, @cassandra scathingly criticised the Indian billionaires, saying:
“That country dey suffer, why can’t he donate this money to the poor. Isn’t India one of the poorest countries in the world?
“I swear the billionaires don’t think of the poor chaii!
“Just $1k is enough for like 1 million people and
they will appreciate it and pray for you, it is more than all this show off,” she said.
