Ghanaian artist, Rema, made headlines at the 2024 Dreamville Festival in North Carolina when he walked off stage during his performance.
The festival, which featured top-tier artists like J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, Monica, and Muni Long, took place over two days. Rema shared the stage with these music icons on the second day of the festival.
During his performance of ‘Calm Down,’ a hit track, Rema encountered sound problems that caused him to pause. In a video circulating online, Rema can be seen expressing frustration with the sound quality, calling it “messed up” and stating that it was affecting his ability to deliver a top-notch performance.
Not only did he point out the sound issues, but he also advocated for fair treatment regarding sound quality for all artists, emphasizing the importance of having an equal playing field to ensure optimal performances. Rema highlighted the need for perfect sound for every artist that graced the stage, especially those representing Africa.
In another clip, Rema reiterated his concerns about the sound before exiting the stage, saying, “Too many sound issues my people, I love you goodnight.”
The moment Rema walked off stage at DreamvilleFest because of production issues.pic.twitter.com/FQLmnxS5BR
— 🐬 @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) April 8, 2024
This incident isn’t the first time that Rema has left a stage due to production issues. In July 2023, he made headlines for a similar exit during a performance in Atlanta, citing dissatisfaction with the venue and alleging disrespect towards him and Afrobeats music.
Rema’s actions at the Dreamville Festival have ignited a conversation about the importance of sound quality at live performances, especially for artists representing Africa on the global stage.
