Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus

Rema’s nostalgic touch flips script on Sade’s ‘Is It a Crime’

Nigerian Afropop star Rema blends nostalgia and modern sound with his latest single, ‘Baby (Is It a Crime).’ The track samples Sade Adu’s 1985 hit, fusing classic soul with Afrobeats, making it one of 2025’s most anticipated releases in the first quarter. Rema teased the song in November 2024, exciting fans with Instagram and X snippets. UK rapper J Hus even hinted at a guest verse, but Rema’s silence fuelled speculation about clearance issues with Sade’s team. On 30 January, he finally broke the suspense, sharing behind-the-scenes footage of the music video. A day later, he previewed the song at the Donavan Yard festival in Los Angeles, further building hype after being spotted at Amoeba Music, reportedly buying Sade’s ‘Promise’ album, which features ‘Is It a Crime’. Finally, on Friday, ‘Baby (Is It a Crime)’ dropped, accompanied by a stunning music video directed by Salomé Gomiz-Trezise.