{{Use Nigerian English|date=August 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox song | name = Kelebu | type = single | artist = Rema | cover = File:Kelebu.jpg | alt = | album = | released = August 1, 2025 | recorded = | genre = * Afrobeats | length = 2:52 | label = * Mavin * Jonzing | writer = * Divine Ikubor * Michael Ovie | producer = {{hlist|London|Ambezza}} | prev_title = Bout U | prev_year = 2025 | next_title = Fun | next_year = 2025 | misc = {{External music video|header=Music video|type=single|{{YouTube|NNBpEVsvCcA|"Kelebu"}}}} }} "'''Kelebu'''" is a song by Nigerian singer and rapper Rema. It was released as a single under Mavin Records and Jonzing World on August 1, 2025 as his third single of the year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oshunloye |first=Taiwo |date=2025-08-01 |title=DOWNLOAD: Rema returns with 'Kelebu' |url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/download-rema-kelebu/ |access-date=2025-08-18 |newspaper=TheCable|language=en-US}}</ref> The song was written by Rema alongside London, who serves alongside Ambezza as the song's co-producer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cissé |first=Djita |date=2025-08-02 |title=Rema Drops Enchanting Track 'KELEBU' |url=https://www.newwavemagazine.com/single-post/rema-drops-enchanting-track-kelebu |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=newwavemagazine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=NewsDesk |first=Asaba Metro |date=2025-08-01 |title=Rema Drops New High-Energy Afrobeats Single 'Kelebu' to Heat Up Summer Dance Floors |url=https://www.asabametro.com/rema-drops-new-high-energy-afrobeats-single-kelebu-to-heat-up-summer-dance-floors/ |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=Asaba Metro News |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Background == Rema stated that "Kelebu" draws inspiration from his childhood experiences, where he listened to diverse household music and danced to Caribbean and Francophone tracks at school parties, often without understanding the lyrics but enjoying the instrumental and repetitive elements. He described reliving those moments by expressing them through his music.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Interviews |first1=Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & |last2=Murray |first2=Robin |date=2025-08-01 |title=Rema Releases New Single 'Kelebu', Launches Dance Challenge {{!}} News |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/rema-releases-new-single-kelebu-launches-dance-challenge/ |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rema might pay you $10k to dance to his new song |url=https://www.thefader.com/2025/08/01/rema-kelebu-dance-challenge |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=The FADER |language=en}}</ref>
== Release and promotion == The song was released on 1 August 2025, following Rema's singles "Baby (Is It a Crime)" in February and "Bout U" in April.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adeyemi |first=Boluwatife |date=2025-08-01 |title=Rema Has Another Banger With Explosive "Kelebu" |url=https://thenativemag.com/rema-has-another-banger-with-explosive-kelebu/ |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=The NATIVE |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-01 |title=Rema's Triumphant New Single 'Kelebu' Commands Listeners To Move |url=https://uproxx.com/music/rema-kelebu-new-single/ |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US}}</ref> To promote the track, Rema announced a $10,000 dance challenge on X, encouraging fans to create an easy dances for the song. The challenge generated significant engagement, with thousands of posts on TikTok.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rema drops high-energy single 'Kelebu' with a $10,000 dance challenge |url=https://mirchi.in/stories/music/rema-drops-high-energy-single-kelebu-with-a-10000-dance-challenge/152387343 |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=mirchi.in |language=en}}</ref>
== Composition == "Kelebu" is a rhythmic, chant-driven song featuring frenetic percussion, horns, brash bass, and repetitive choruses. It mixes traditional African sounds with contemporary Afrobeats production, creating a spiritual, danceable, and celebratory vibe similar to Rema's earlier track "Ozeba".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Conteh |first=Mankaprr |date=2025-08-01 |title=Rema Drops New Single 'Kelebu,' With $10,000 Dance Challenge |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rema-kelebu-single-dance-challenge-1235398133/ |access-date=2025-08-18 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nevares |first=Gabriel Bras |date=2023-03-30 |title=Rema Goes Grand And Frenetic On New Single "KELEBU" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/934683-rema-kelebu-stream |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Rema – KELEBU |url=https://genius.com/Rema-kelebu-lyrics |access-date=2025-08-18}}</ref>
== Critical reception == Critics praised "Kelebu" for its electrifying energy and fusion of sounds. ''HotNewHipHop'' described it as "one of the most impactful, exciting, and propulsive singles you'll hear this week," highlighting its textured percussion and celebratory feel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nevares |first=Gabriel Bras |date=2023-03-30 |title=Rema Goes Grand And Frenetic On New Single "KELEBU" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/934683-rema-kelebu-stream |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}</ref> ''Pitchfork'' noted it as a high-energy track.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=2025-08-01 |title=Listen to Rema's New Song "Kelebu" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-rema-new-song-kelebu/ |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' called it raucous and horn-driven.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Conteh |first=Mankaprr |date=2025-08-01 |title=Rema Drops New Single 'Kelebu,' With $10,000 Dance Challenge |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rema-kelebu-single-dance-challenge-1235398133/ |access-date=2025-08-18 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Accolades == {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! style="width:250px;"| Awards ceremony ! style="width:300px;"| Award description(s) ! style="width:75px;"| Results |- | 2026 | Ghana Music Awards<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adeyanju |first=Adedeji |title=Ghana Music Awards: 4 Nigerian songs nominated for “African Song of the Year” |url=https://thenet.ng/ghana-music-awards-4-nigerian-songs-nominated-for-african-song-of-the-year/ |website=Nigerian Entertainment Today |date=2 April 2026 |access-date=11 April 2026}}</ref> | African Song of the Year | {{pending}} |}
== Charts == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for "Kelebu" ! scope="col"| Chart (2025) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| Nigeria (''TurnTable'' Top 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/1|title=TurnTable Nigeria Top 100: August 10, 2025|magazine=TurnTable|access-date=August 15, 2025}}</ref> | 5 |- {{single chart|UKafrobeats|7|date=20250810|rowheader=true|access-date=15 August 2025|refname=UKafro}} |- {{single chart|Billboardafrobeats|9|artist=Rema|rowheader=true|access-date=15 August 2025}} |}
== Release history == {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" |+Release dates and formats for "Kelebu" !Region !Date !Format !Label !{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- |Various |1 August 2025 |{{hlist|Digital download|Streaming}} |{{hlist|Mavin Records|Jonzing World}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify |url=https://open.spotify.com/track/6aoKNOL481xVNuqeayQjPj?si=RQ3g89DsRge-YKeAVDiE-Q |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=open.spotify.com}}</ref> |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Rema}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2025 singles Category:2025 songs Category:Rema (musician) songs Category:Songs written by Rema (musician) Category:Song recordings produced by London (record producer) Category:Mavin Records singles