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| Biography of Rema, Career and Achievements |
Early Life and Background
Divine Ikubor, professionally known as Rema, was born on May 1, 2000, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Raised in a Christian family, Rema discovered his passion for music at a young age. He grew up performing in church choirs, where he developed his skills in singing and songwriting.
Despite facing personal challenges, including the loss of his father and brother at a young age, Rema’s determination to succeed pushed him to pursue music as an escape and a career path.
Music Career and Breakthrough
Rema’s journey into the spotlight began in 2018 when he uploaded a freestyle of D’Prince’s track “Gucci Gang” on Instagram. The video went viral, catching the attention of D’Prince, who introduced him to Mavin Records under Jonzing World, a subsidiary label.
In 2019, Rema released his self-titled debut EP “Rema”, which featured hit singles like Dumebi and Iron Man. Dumebi became an instant sensation across Africa, while Iron Man caught international attention when it was featured on Barack Obama’s 2019 summer playlist.
Rise to Global Fame
Rema quickly gained recognition for his unique style, blending Afrobeats, trap, pop, and Indian-inspired melodies, a sound he branded as Afro-Rave. His follow-up EPs, Rema Freestyle and Bad Commando, further established him as one of Afrobeats’ brightest new stars.
In 2022, Rema released his debut album Rave & Roses, which included the global hit single Calm Down. The remix of Calm Down featuring Selena Gomez became a worldwide smash, charting in the Billboard Hot 100, peaking in the top 5, and breaking streaming records across Spotify and YouTube.
Achievements and Awards
Since his debut, Rema has achieved remarkable success, including:
Winner of Next Rated Award at The Headies (2019).
Multiple BET, MTV, and Soundcity MVP Awards nominations and wins.
Calm Down remix became one of the most streamed Afrobeats songs worldwide, surpassing 1 billion streams across platforms.
Performed at major global stages including the O2 Arena (London) and festivals across Europe and America.
Recognized as one of the leaders of the new wave of Afrobeats.
Musical Style and Influence
Rema describes his sound as Afro-Rave, a genre that fuses Afrobeats with trap, Indian, and pop influences. His versatility, youthful energy, and global appeal have made him one of the most innovative voices in African music today.
Personal Life
Rema is known for keeping his personal life private. He often uses his music to express his emotions, experiences, and creative vision. His humility, focus, and ambition have earned him respect both within and outside Nigeria.
Legacy and Impact
As one of the leading figures of the new generation of Afrobeats, Rema has successfully taken African music to global audiences. His success with Calm Down opened new doors for Afrobeats in international markets, proving that young African artists can dominate global charts.
Rema’s journey from Benin City to global superstardom is an inspiring story of talent, persistence, and innovation. He continues to shape the future of Afrobeats with his unique sound and global influence.


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