"I'm looking for some peace of mind," Rema croons as he drives through traffic-packed Lagos, and well, we can most definitely relate. It's the new visual for Virgil Abloh's remix of the singer's single "Peace of Mind," and he's releasing it for a good cause.
When rising Nigerian star Rema dropped "Peace of Mind" late last year, it became a soundtrack of sorts for the Nigerian youth wary from their fight against police brutality and the ruthless SARS regime. The song marinated in West Africa, where the young singer has an avid following, that is until Virgil Abloh blew the roof off it with his own remix.
Adding a pumping house beat to the song and mixing in melodies and chants from Fela Kuti's classic "Water No Get Enemy," Abloh timelessly amplified Rema's message of finding an inner reprieve from the chaotic world outside. Now the designer and DJ has finally delivered a video befitting of the hit song.
The Virgil Abloh-directed visual follows Rema as he drives through Lagos and sings along to the song. His lyrics are scrawled urgently over the footage in a move typical of Abloh. The video is also entirely red-hued, a style choice, I'm sure, but it's also a nod to the charity that this video spotlights.
The collaboration is for the recently released (RED) album DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES Vol. III with 100 percent of the proceeds going to support (RED)'s efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on life-saving HIV/AIDS programs in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Rema's the future, you can hear it in his voice and see it in his presence," Virgil Abloh states. "This creative collaboration with (RED) and Mavin Records has provided a platform for artists to create and give back to the community at the same time—I’m proud that my artistry can inspire and ultimately help those affected by COVID-19.”
You can watch the video for Virgil Abloh's "Peace of Mind" remix below. And to learn more about (RED) and donate, click here.
