In 2026, nearly a decade after he first aligned with Davido Music Worldwide, Dremo finally said what many observers had long speculated: his time at the label had come to an end, and it hadn’t gone exactly as planned.
When he joined forces with Davido in 2016, Dremo was more than just another signing. He was part of the foundation, a pioneer in a new label that would soon become one of Afrobeats’ most influential powerhouses. Back then, the vision showcased young, hungry talents building a collection that could dominate charts, streets, and stages alike.
But while DMW grew into a hit-making machine, Dremo’s journey within it unfolded differently. There were moments of promise and stretches where his rap seemed to sit at the margins of a melody-driven movement.
Now, with hindsight and honesty, his story reads less like a straightforward rise and more like a complex, evolving journey shaped by ambition, positioning, and the realities of label life.
This is the timeline of Dremo at DMW. From it started, to how it unfolded, and what ultimately led to his exit.
Who Is Dremo?
Before the co-sign, before the label politics, Dremo was already carving out a name for himself as a young rapper with sharp delivery and street-rooted energy.
Born Aboriomoh Femi Raymond in Edo State and raised in Ibadan, his journey into music started early, writing and recording songs as a teenager while balancing school.
By the mid-2010s, he had begun building momentum in Nigeria’s underground scene under A.P.P.E Music, releasing tracks like “Normal Levelz” and “OBT”. These records earned him early radio attention and credibility among hip-hop listeners.
His real breakout moment came with a freestyle cover of Desiigner’s “Panda”, titled “Fela”, which quickly gained traction and positioned him as one of the most exciting young rappers to watch.
Then came the turning point.
In April 2016, Davido signed Dremo to Davido Music Worldwide, alongside Mayorkun. At the time, Dremo wasn’t just another new act, he was part of the foundation of a label that was still defining its identity. Young, versatile, and rooted in rap at a time when Afrobeats was increasingly melody-driven, he represented something slightly different within the emerging DMW sound.
That difference would later become both his strength and challenge.
DREMO AT DMW: A 10-YEAR TIMELINE
Phase 1: The Signing & Early Momentum (2016–2017)
On April 5, 2016, Dremo was officially signed to Davido Music Worldwide by Davido, reportedly within 24 hours of hearing his breakout track “Ojere.” By June of that same year, “Ojere” was released under the label, formally introducing him into the DMW system. Around this period, his “Fela” freestyle over Panda further amplified his presence, helping position him as one of the most exciting new rappers within the emerging DMW camp. By 2017, he had built early recognition, earned Rookie of the Year nomination which he won, and established himself as part of the label’s founding core. It was a fast rise, driven by strong co-signs, high visibility, and clear expectations.
Phase 2: First Major Project & Identity Search (2018–2019)
In July 2018, Dremo released his debut EP, Codename Vol. 1, a nine-track project that leaned heavily on collaborations with DMW artists such as Davido, Mayorkun, and Peruzzi, reflecting solid label backing. He followed this with Icen B4 the Cake in 2019, continuing his run of releases. During this period, he experimented with a fusion of Afropop and hip-hop, navigating the tension between maintaining a core rap identity and adapting to a more commercially dominant sound. While the momentum from his early days carried forward, questions began to emerge about his artistic direction and positioning within the wider industry. Still, his debut EP, Codename Vol. 1 won him Rap Album of the Year award in 2018.
Phase 3: Heavy Output, Limited Breakout (2020–2022)
On April 17, 2020, Dremo dropped Codename Vol. 2, a twelve-track project featuring major names including Davido, Falz, Naira Marley, and Peruzzi, reinforcing that he still had strong access and support within the label. He maintained a steady output with projects like Ea$t N We$t (EP) in 2021 alongside Jeriq, as well as singles such as “Wonder” featuring Patoranking. Despite this consistency, he struggled to secure a clear mainstream breakout hit, and the perception grew that he remained underrated but not fully maximized. The work rate was undeniable, but the impact did not quite match the effort.
Phase 4: Plateau Years & Reduced Visibility (2023–2025)
Between 2023 and 2025, Dremo remained active through singles, features, and freestyles, while still appearing on collaborative DMW records. He also released projects like We Not Done Yet (EP) in 2024, continuing to show creative output. However, his visibility within the label ecosystem appeared to decline, especially as newer sounds and emerging artists began to dominate the Afrobeats landscape. He was still present, still working, but no longer central to the label’s narrative or the broader conversation.
Phase 5: The Exit & Reframing the Journey (2026)
By 2026, Dremo had released new music, including “Wife Material,” and confirmed his departure from Davido Music Worldwide in recent reports and interviews. His exit reframed his journey over the past decade, shifting the perspective from early promise and strong co-signs to a long tenure that, while consistent, lacked a defining breakout moment. With hindsight, the story becomes clearer as one of sustained effort and visible potential.
What Led to His Exit
By the time Dremo exited Davido Music Worldwide, the reasons behind his departure were less about a single moment and more about a gradual buildup of structural and creative tensions that had followed his career for years.
According to him, one of the most persistent challenges was positioning. Dremo emerged as a rapper in an ecosystem that increasingly leaned toward melody-driven Afrobeats, a sound that defined the commercial success of the label led by Davido. While he showed versatility across projects like Codename and Icen B4 the Cake, his core identity remained rooted in rap. This genre within the label’s output, often took a back seat to more radio-friendly styles. Over time, this created a subtle but significant disconnect between his strengths and the label’s dominant direction.
There was also the question of visibility and prioritization. In the early years, Dremo benefited from the momentum of being a pioneer signee, appearing alongside other rising acts as the label established its footprint. But as DMW expanded and its biggest stars began to command more attention, the internal hierarchy became more pronounced. Despite consistent releases and collaborations, Dremo’s output did not always translate into the kind of sustained promotion or breakthrough moments that could elevate him into the top tier of the label’s roster.
Longevity, in this case, became a double-edged sword. Spending nearly a decade within the same system gave Dremo stability and access, but it also meant that periods without major commercial peaks became more noticeable over time. His steady work rate of multiple EPs, singles, and features highlighted commitment, yet also underscored the absence of a defining hit that could reshape his trajectory within the label.
By 2026, when he began to publicly reflect on his experience during a recent interview, the narrative had shifted from one of potential to one of hindsight. His comments pointed to issues around support and structure, which were not entirely new concerns; rather, they gave voice to patterns that had long been visible in his career arc.
In the end, Dremo’s exit was not simply about leaving a label. It was about stepping away from a system that had shaped his rise but could no longer fully accommodate his direction.
Conclusion
In the end, Dremo’s time at Davido Music Worldwide tells a story that goes beyond one artist or one label. It is a reflection of how timing, positioning, and industry trends can shape or limit potential.
From a promising pioneer to a consistent but often overlooked presence, his decade-long journey highlights both the opportunities and the constraints of being part of a fast-growing music machine led by Davido.
Now outside that system, the narrative shifts. For the first time in years, the direction is entirely his to define and whatever comes next will ultimately determine how his DMW era is remembered.
