The highly anticipated concert of Nigerian music sensation Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, in Ethiopia has reportedly been canceled amidst religious concerns and allegations of “devil-worshipping.”
The Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa, the venue for Rema’s Ethiopian New Year’s Eve Concert scheduled for September 9, released an official statement confirming the event’s cancellation. The decision came as a result of mounting controversy surrounding allegations of devil-worship associated with the artwork featured on a custom necklace worn by Rema.
The necklace in question prominently features the image of a burning church and inverted crosses. This imagery is also used as a backdrop for Rema’s album cover and live performances. However, it was perceived as deeply disrespectful and offensive by a significant portion of the Ethiopian population, leading to widespread public outcry and condemnation.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, known for its profound cultural heritage and strong religious beliefs, also voiced its strong disapproval of these symbols.
Under the mounting pressure from various quarters, including religious authorities and the public, the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa was ultimately compelled to cancel Rema’s concert.
In a recent interview with Nigerian media personality Daddy Freeze, an Ethiopian woman confirmed the cancellation and shed light on the underlying reasons. She explained, “They made a statement, like a press release in Ethiopia about Rema. Yes, you can imagine, it’s a very big deal.”
When asked about the contents of the press release, the woman clarified, “They’re basically saying he’s a devil worshipper because of what he has on his neck. And to be honest, I never thought of it myself. And there’s more to it; to be honest.”
Daddy Freeze, in response to the woman’s explanation, expressed his fascination with religion and the fact that Rema’s necklace had led to the cancellation of the show.
Leave a Reply