Nigerian Musician Rema Faces Controversy Over Necklace, Forcing Ethiopia Concert Postponement
Renowned Nigerian musician Rema had his highly anticipated concert in Ethiopia put on hold indefinitely due to a contentious necklace he wore, which triggered controversy.
Scheduled for September 9, 2023, the performance was supposed to take place at the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Reports indicate that the postponement occurred due to alleged religious reservations expressed by the hotel management.
The controversy revolved around a necklace worn by Rema, featuring an illustration of an inverted and upside-down burning church, along with inverted crosses.
This depiction led to accusations that Rema was associated with demon worship.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church was offended by the imagery on Rema’s necklace, resulting in the postponement of his performance.
During an Instagram live session organized by Nigerian media personality Daddy Freeze, an Ethiopian woman commented on the situation, suggesting that the cancellation of the show was linked to concerns about Rema’s religious beliefs, which appeared to conflict with those of many Ethiopians.
