Baby (Is it a Crime)

By Danie Ayigbo, Lagos, Nigeria

“Is it a crime that I still want you? And I want you to want me too.” From the very beginning of the song, Rema places the listener in his shoes — a young man caught between longing and self-doubt. As the track unfolds, he wrestles with vulnerability, desire, and the pressure of his image as a “G.” By the end, despite the swagger and playful lyrics, what remains is a voice reaching out for love, asking if it’s wrong to care too deeply. Baby (Is It a Crime) is not just another Afrobeats anthem; it is an emotional story of vulnerability disguised in rhythm. Rema’s experiences with love, insecurity, and confidence all collide to reveal a larger truth about the human need for connection.

Rema, like many young artists, struggles with identity in the public eye. “You know say you match my steeze, you know I’m a G, Shawty I’ma always keep it real.” Here, he feels pressured to maintain his image as the confident, untouchable “bad boy.” Yet beneath the surface, his repetition of “Is it a crime that I still want you?” reveals cracks in that mask. This duality mirrors the way many teenagers feel — the need to look strong and unbothered, while inside they crave affirmation. Even his references to distractions, like partying and “oversabi,” show that he sometimes hides emotions behind social energy. The contrast between his confidence and his yearning highlights the inner conflict young people often face in love.

Another powerful theme is the search for closure and reassurance. Love for Rema isn’t simple; it comes with fear of being judged. He says, “Love is in the air, baby breathe in.” That line conveys not only the beauty of connection, but also the uncertainty of whether it will last. In moments where he admits “I know I play around, but me no fit to let you go,” it is clear that he regrets past actions yet hopes for forgiveness. Closure is never easy — and in this song, Rema does not fully find it. Instead, he floats between hope and uncertainty, echoing how teens often struggle to heal after complicated relationships. His lyrics remind us that closure is sometimes less about an ending and more about accepting the messiness of feelings.

Finally, the song offers a glimmer of hope and faith in love. While the verses are filled with doubt, the energy of the beat and his repeated plea for closeness give the impression that he still believes in love despite heartbreak. “I dey available, baby, anytime you need me, I dey available.” This commitment, layered over smooth Afrobeats rhythms, shows resilience. Even after confusion and insecurity, he chooses to remain open to love. This echoes the message that no matter how much we stumble in relationships, the act of choosing to care and to be available is a hopeful one.

Without the vulnerability expressed in Baby (Is It a Crime), the song would just be another party track. Instead, Rema uses his voice to explore what it means to love in a world where pride, image, and mistakes make things complicated. His experiences with identity, closure, and hope shape the emotional journey of the song. The artist shows his listeners that it is not a weakness to feel deeply — rather, it is a universal experience that connects us all. Through his lyrics, Rema reminds teens especially that longing and insecurity are part of growth, and that even in uncertainty, love is worth reaching for.