Read Below The Full Biography of Afrobeats Superstar Rema
Rema, born Divine Ikubor on May 1, 2000, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, rapper, and performer widely recognized as one of the leading voices of the new generation of Afrobeats. Known for his unique sound called Afrorave, Rema rose to international fame through his blend of Afrobeats, trap, Indian music influences, Arabic melodies, and pop elements. He is regarded as one of the artists responsible for expanding Afrobeats to a younger global audience.
Early Life and Background
Rema was born in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. He is from the Ikorodu community in Edo State and grew up in a Christian family.
His childhood was marked by both talent and hardship. Rema lost his father and elder brother at a young age, a tragedy that significantly affected his family. Following their deaths, he became one of the major supporters of his mother and family while pursuing his music dreams.
Growing up in Benin City, he developed an interest in music through church activities, freestyle rap, dancing, and singing. He admired artists such as:
• 2Baba
• D’banj
• Drake
• Michael Jackson
• Fela Kuti
Education
Rema attended Ighile Group of Schools in Edo State for his primary and secondary education.
He later gained admission into the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to study but reportedly paused his education due to the prolonged ASUU strike and the demands of his music career.
Early Career and Discovery
Before fame, Rema was active in church performances and local rap groups in Benin City. His breakthrough began in 2018 after posting a viral freestyle video on Instagram over Gucci Gang by D’Prince.
The freestyle caught the attention of D’Prince, founder of Jonzing World and younger brother of Don Jazzy. Impressed by his talent, D’Prince flew Rema to Lagos and introduced him to Don Jazzy.
In 2019, Rema signed a record deal with Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records.
Breakthrough and Early Success
Rema officially debuted in 2019 with the release of his self-titled EP:
Rema (2019)
The EP included hit songs such as:
• Dumebi
• “Iron Man”
• “Why”
• “Corny”
“Dumebi” became one of the biggest Nigerian songs of 2019 and established Rema as one of the most exciting new artists in Africa.
The song’s success earned him international recognition, and “Iron Man” was featured on former U.S. President Barack Obama’s summer playlist in 2019.
Rise to International Stardom
Following his successful debut, Rema released multiple projects including:
• Rema Freestyle EP
• Bad Commando EP
These projects showcased his versatility and ability to blend Afrobeat rhythms with trap, pop, and melodic rap.
In 2020, he released songs such as:
• “Beamer (Bad Boys)”
• “Woman”
• “Ginger Me”
Rave & Roses and Global Breakthrough
In 2022, Rema released his debut studio album:
Rave & Roses (2022)
The album featured hit songs including:
• Calm Down
• “Soundgasm”
• “Holiday”
• “Dirty”
“Calm Down” became a historic global success. The remix featuring Selena Gomez became one of the biggest Afrobeats songs ever released.
The song achieved several milestones, including:
• Charting on the Billboard Hot 100
• Becoming one of the most-streamed African songs globally
• Breaking records on Spotify and YouTube
• Reaching billions of streams worldwide
The success of “Calm Down” established Rema as one of the leading global Afrobeats stars of his generation.
Musical Style and Afrorave
Rema describes his musical style as Afrorave, a genre blending:
• Afrobeats
• Trap
• Indian music influences
• Arabic melodies
• Pop
• Hip-hop
His sound is recognized for:
• High-energy melodies
• Experimental production
• Emotional lyrics
• Youthful themes
• Unique vocal delivery
He is widely credited for helping redefine the sound of Afrobeats for Gen Z audiences globally.
Awards and Achievements
Rema has received several awards and nominations throughout his career, including recognition from:
• BET Awards
• MTV Europe Music Awards
• The Headies
• AFRIMA
• Billboard Music Awards nominations
Some of his notable achievements include:
• Becoming one of the youngest African artists to achieve global commercial success
• Performing at major international venues and festivals
• Breaking streaming records across Africa and globally
• Becoming one of the most-streamed African artists worldwide
Personal Life
Despite his global fame, Rema maintains a relatively private personal life. He has spoken publicly about the emotional impact of losing family members and how those experiences shaped his ambition and outlook on life.
Rema is also known for his strong connection to Benin culture and frequently references his roots in his music and public appearances.
Legacy and Impact
From a teenage freestyle rapper in Benin City to becoming one of Africa’s biggest music exports, Rema’s rise symbolizes the global evolution of Afrobeats and African youth culture.
His originality, experimental sound, and international success helped position a new generation of African artists on the world stage.
Rema is recognized as:
• One of the biggest Afrobeats stars globally
• Pioneer of the Afrorave sound
• One of the most influential African Gen Z artists
• A major cultural ambassador for Nigerian music worldwide
About the Author
