Rema channels Sade’s Legacy in nostalgic Afrobeats fusion ‘Baby Is It a Crime’

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Rema has released his highly anticipated single “Baby (Is It A Crime).” This genre-bending track samples Sade Adu’s 1985 classic “Is It a Crime” and layers it with his signature Afro-rave rhythms. 

The song opens with Sade’s sultry vocals from her Promise album, seamlessly transitioning into Rema’s modern Afro-R&B production, featuring lyrics like “Baby, baby súnmọ́ mí / You no say you match my steeze” that highlight his romantic lyricism. 

Teased since November 2024 through a viral social media campaign—including a photo of Rema holding Sade’s vinyl—the track arrives days after his Grammy-nominated 2024 album HEIS narrowly lost to Matt B’s Alkebulan II, cementing his status as a global Afrobeats ambassador. 

The release, accompanied by a cinematic London-shot video exploring themes of luxury and desire, follows Rema’s historic 2023 sold-out O2 Arena performance. It precedes a 20,000-capacity European tour, including a Paris stop at the Accor Arena. 

With HEIS surpassing 100 million Spotify streams and critics hailing “Baby” as a bridge between generations of African artistry, Rema continues pushing Afrobeats’ boundaries while honoring its roots. The single and its visuals are now available globally on streaming platforms.

Listen to “Baby (Is It A Crime)" below.