Remilekun Khalid Safaru is a Nigerian singer, rapper, songwriter, and actor better known by his stage names Reminisce and Alaga Ibile. He performs in both English and Yoruba, his native language. He created the “Kako Bii Chicken” street banger, which quickly became a street anthem and a national hit. He is also the founder of LRR Records and an EDGE Records artist.
Early Life and Education
Reminisce was born on January 26, 1981, in Kaduna, Nigeria’s northernmost state. He is from Ajilete, Yewa South LGA in Ogun State, Nigeria’s westernmost state. He attended primary and secondary school in Kaduna State, Nigeria, before enrolling in Kwara State Polytechnic to study purchasing and supply.
As a child, he wished to be a rapper. Reminisce grew up in a family that encouraged him to pursue his dreams. He worked hard each time to improve his skills. While in high school, he was interested in a variety of local and foreign music and participated in school activities as a performer. To hone his craft, he studied the raps of artists such as Nas, Jay-Z, and Snoop Dogg.
Career
In 2006, he recorded his first song in a studio and a hardcore rap album at Coded Tunes, but the album was never released because he chose to focus on his studies and graduate from high school. Reminisce returned to the music scene in 2008, contributing a rap verse to the song “Bachelor’s Life” from 9ice’s follow-up album, “Gongo Aso.” “Ever Since,” his debut song with 9ice, told the story of his life up to that point. His second song, “If Only,” a love song produced by Dtunez, demonstrated his versatility as a singer and rapper. Because of both songs, Reminisce became well-known in the Nigerian music scene.
TIME Magazine named Reminisce one of the seven “World Rappers You Should Meet” in 2014. NotJustOk, a Nigerian music website, named him one of the top three hip-hop musicians of 2014. Fans were divided over his 2015 song “Local Rappers,” on which he collaborated with Olamide and Phyno, because many thought it was directed at rappers who use English, such as MI and Mode9.
Reminisce has collaborated with several great musicians, including Phenom on “ASHEWO,” MI Abaga on “Shekpe,” Mr Eazi on “If E No Be God,” and DJ Enimoney on “Diet,” in addition to releasing singles and albums.
Reminisce also promotes its own brand. He represents Samsung and Origin, a popular African herb and liqueur cocktail produced by Diageo plc. Reminisce is signed to Edge Records in addition to being the founder and creative leader of LRR Records.
Reminisce also dabbled in acting, appearing alongside top entertainers such as Titi Kuti, Sola Sobowale, and Nse Etim, among others, in the Netflix film, King of Boys: The Return of the King, produced by Kemi Adetiba.
Personal Life
Reminisce is married to a lady who he calls “Iya Hafusa” and he calls himself “Baba Hafusa”. The marriage is blessed with two children; Hafusa Safaru and Fatimah Safaru.
Discography
Studio Albums
- Book Of Rap Stories (2012)
- ALAGA IBILE (2013)
- Baba Hafusa (2015)
- El-Hadj (2016)
- Ponmile (2017)
Selected Singles
- One Chance
- Ever Since ft. 9ice
- If only
- Kako Bii Chicken!
- 2musshh
- Fantasi
- Government ft Olamide, Endia
- “Daddy” ft. Davido
- Eleniyan feat. Wizkid
- Turn it around.
- Tesojue
- “Local Rappers”
- Skilashi
- Kpomo (Remix) feat. Lil Kesh, CDQ, Falz, Seriki
- Angelina
- Ponmile (2017)
- Problem (2018)
- Ajigijaga (2018)
- Do You Feel It (2018)
- Oja (2019)
- Jensimi (featuring Niniola (2019)
- Instagram (featuring Olamide, Naira Marley, and Sarz (2019)
- Prosperity (featuring Falz ) (2020)
- Toxic (featuring Adekunle Gold (2020)
Awards and Nominations
- Reminisce won the City People Entertainment Award for Rap Album of the Year twice in 2015 and 2014.
- In 2015, Reminisce won the 2015 Top Naija Music Award for Best Collabo.
- Reminisce, together with Olamide and Phyno, won the 2015 Headies Award for Best Collabo.
- In 2016, Reminisce won the City People Entertainment Award for Rap Artiste of the Year.
- In 2017, Reminisce won the 2017 Headies Awards for Best Rap Album.
Net Worth
Reminisce lives a moderate lifestyle, and he is signed to several brands as an ambassador. His net worth is estimated at $7 million.
