Recent online discussions and leaked iMessage chats have brought to light a contentious claim that Nigerian artist Rema allegedly stole the concept for his album from fellow musician Omah Lay. The controversy stems from a series of events, starting with Omah Lay's earlier interview on the Zach Sang Show, where he revealed that a colleague he had trusted with his album ideas went on to release a project with a similar sound, forcing him to re-record his album. While Omah Lay did not name the artist at the time, speculation and finger-pointing have run rampant within the fan communities. 

The situation escalated when alleged screenshots of iMessage conversations between Omah Lay and Rema began to circulate online. These leaked chats, purportedly shared by an associate of Omah Lay, show Omah Lay discussing a new sound concept he was developing, which he referred to as "Mara," with Rema. According to the narrative built around these leaks, Rema, who was seeking collaboration at the time, allegedly took this idea and used it as the foundation for his own album, "HEIS." The leaked chats have been a central point of contention, with Omah Lay's fans citing them as "proof" of the alleged intellectual theft.

The incident has opened a wider conversation about creativity, collaboration, and intellectual property in the music industry. While some fans believe the chats confirm Rema's wrongdoing, others are skeptical, suggesting the leaks could be a publicity stunt ahead of Omah Lay's new album release. Rema's supporters have also pointed out that creative ideas can be dynamic and that different artists can independently arrive at similar concepts. The debate is further complicated by Rema's past controversies, which some fans have brought up to support their claims. The dispute remains unresolved, with both fanbases clashing online, and neither artist has made an official statement to address the leaked chats directly.