In a recent interview with New York City’s top radio station, Z100, the singer revealed that he had his first million Naira by age 17.
He revealed that although he wanted to get a car with the money, his mother needed the money more, and it was not cool for him to be 17 and drive around in a car when his mother did not have a car of her own.
“The person who I knew needed it more was my mom. So, I handed everything I made to her. I know it was cool to drive around the city as a 17-year-old in a cool whip. But I can’t drive a cool whip when my mom doesn’t have a car or when my mom has to borrow my keys. You know, I had to put her on first.” says Rema.
“Passing all of that to her, whatever investment she makes… I made my first million [Naira] at 17, but I made more than a million. But it’s cool to be at that stage and be able to provide for your family.”
This interview comes in light of PSG soccer player Achraf Hakimi's divorce saga where his wife filed for divorce and shockingly found out that all of Hakimi's earnings and assets were under his mother's name.
It is very refreshing to see young adults growing up with respect for their parents. Most guys his age would have chosen a flashy car first even if their parents are struggling financially. What we hope for the new generation of black and African entertainers is that they learn the business of music and entertainment and to invest what they have earned, and not always splurging on expensive cars and flashy clothes. Learning how to build wealth is really the way to go. Let us as a community normalize this.
