Rema may be able to do all things. One of pop’s most intelligent and skilled agitators, he has worked at demonstrating artistic elasticity, unfailingly expanding his range. While his recent releases like the Sade-sampling “Baby (Is It a Crime)” and the sleek R&B of “Bout U” exposed a softer, more melodic side, his latest single “Kelebu” is a reroute to chaos. Reuniting with his go-to producer London, Rema dives headfirst into an unruly, irrepresible fusion of Ivorian coupé-décalé and Dominican bouyon on this bouyant new cut.

Beneath the surface-level bedlam, “Kelebu” is a profound demonstration of the Rave Lord’s expansive talent. He contorts his voice with an astonishing dexterity that few of his peers can muster; he growls, barks, and rolls his tongue, manipulating his vocals into another percussive layer that rides the beat’s frantic pulse. His breath control is impeccable, allowing him to go on and on and on, swerving between vocal cadences without losing a shred of momentum. This is the work of a supremely confident artist who understands that disruption is its own form of art. London’s production mirrors this intensity, a marvel of layered, syncopated rhythms that build with relentless pressure before detonating in a cathartic drum storm that acts as both the backbone and the grand finale.

Rema’s global profile is soaring but no measure of international acclaim can excise him from the coordinates of his origin. He’s an Edo boy to the core and that fact is the organising principle of his art. Regardless of stylistic permutations, he’s shown that reaffirming his identity is a deliberate philosophical stance within his artistry. “Kelebu” is a visceral experience, a fulfillment of the promise Rema has always precluded in his music: to agitate, to innovate, and to deliver bangers that are impossible to ignore. Whether he’s indulging in the fantasy of pure sonic anarchy or simply reminding us of his capabilities, his cool ferocity is exhilarating and we’re always here for it.