The world-famous Nigerian afrobeats artist Rema has finally responded to claims going viral that he received $3 million to sing at the wedding of Anant Ambani, the son of Mukesh Ambani, and Viren Merchant, the daughter of pharmaceutical tycoons Shaila and Viren Merchant.
Bmmblog remembers that on July 12, at the Jio World Centre in Bandra Kurla Centre (BKC) in Mumbai, Rema made news for his performance at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding.
Rema received $3 million, according to Hindustan Times, to play his worldwide popular song “Calm Down” at the function.
Rema was asked to remark on the widely shared report during a recent interview with GRM.
“Is it true you received $3 million for Ambani’s Indian wedding?” asked the interviewer.
Rema: “Lol. To be honest, that is all I have to say. It was a nice treatment overall, although it was expensive. It was exquisite.
“I adore India. India also adores me. And it’s really lovely to see something for which I was ridiculed and criticised. I’m currently reaping the benefits of that.
What if I stopped? What if I changed the volume and really paid attention to the trolls on the internet?
“Four years later, it was still paying off and would continue to do so. India is a very large country. In actuality, I’m the first afrobeats musician to perform in India. Please pardon me if I’m mistaken; if I am, I’m possibly even the first African. Still, it’s a big thing.
“It goes beyond the nuptials. Everywhere I go, the welcome is the main concern. I recall not even understanding how they knew when I was travelling around India. Everywhere I go for food, there are paparazzi. It’s more insane than Nigerian love.