Rema, a name that reverberates with the pulse of Nigeria’s Afrobeats revolution, has emerged as a global sensation, his self-coined Afrorave sound a fusion of Afrobeats, Arabian, and Indian influences propelling him from the streets of Benin City to the pinnacle of international stardom.
Born Divine Ikubor on May 1, 2000, in Edo State, this Ika artist weathered early tragedy, losing his father and brother before transforming personal hardship into a musical odyssey that began with a viral 2018 freestyle and exploded with 2019’s “Dumebi” and 2022’s “Calm Down,” the latter a Selena Gomez remix that conquered charts worldwide.
At 24, Rema’s journey from a church choir rapper to a Grammy-nominated icon selling out London’s O2 Arena embodies resilience and innovation, cementing his place as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s sonic evolution as of April 11, 2025.
This Rema biography traces the electrifying ascent of a young visionary whose artistry has redefined African music, offering a window into the interplay of personal struggle, cultural pride, and global ambition that fuels his rise.
From his teenage hustle in Ghana to support his family to his breakthrough under Jonzing World and Mavin Records, Rema’s career is a testament to tenacity and talent, marked by record-breaking albums like Rave & Roses and HEIS, and performances at events like the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
His path, paved with accolades, endorsements, and a billion streams, is not without its edges—industry spats and personal losses add depth to his narrative.
What follows is an in-depth exploration of his early years, pre-stardom grind, musical triumphs, key achievements, personal life, and the unfolding legacy of an artist whose sound continues to bridge Benin City’s spirit with the world’s stages, reshaping Afrobeats for a new era.
Bio-Data
| Name | Divine Ikubor (professionally known as Rema) |
| Date of Birth | May 1, 2000 |
| Age | 24 years old |
| Place of Birth | Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria |
| Occupation | Singer, Songwriter, Rapper |
| Genre of Music | Afrorave (a fusion of Afrobeats, Arabian, and Indian influences) |
| Most Viral Song | “Calm Down” (2022, especially its remix with Selena Gomez, which peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $2–7 million USD (based on music streams, tours, and endorsements.) |
| Source | Bsgistnews.com |
Divine Ikubor’s Early Life and Education
Divine Ikubor, professionally known as Rema, was born on May 1, 2000, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, into a devout Christian family of Ika (Igboid) descent from Igbanke, Orhionmwon.
His father, Justice Ikubor, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, and his mother, Mrs. Ikubor, raised him alongside three siblings—two sisters and an elder brother until tragedy struck.
Justice died under mysterious circumstances in 2008 at Bins Hotel in Benin City, followed by his brother’s death seven years later, leaving 15-year-old Rema as the family’s sole male provider.
He attended Ighile Group of Schools in Edo State for his primary and secondary education, where he began rapping and singing, notably with friend Alpha P in a duo called RNA.
In 2022, he enrolled at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to study for a B.Sc., fulfilling his mother’s wish, but dropped out in 2023 due to an ASUU strike.
His early years in church, including the “Rap Nation” program at Christ of Mercy, honed his musical talents, setting the stage for his future.
Rema’s Career Before Music Stardom
Rema’s pre-fame life was shaped by adversity and hustle.
After losing his father and brother, he fled to Accra, Ghana, at 15 to support his family, working odd jobs like beach labor to buy his mother a 2010 Lexus RX 350 in 2017 upon returning to Nigeria.
Music became his refuge; he downloaded beats on a church-gifted smartphone at 14, practicing freestyles that blended his church choir roots with influences from Michael Jackson, 2Face Idibia, and Drake.
In 2013, RNA won Season 2 of Pikolo’s Dream Alive talent show in Benin City, signing briefly with Peak Entertainment and releasing “Mercy,” though it gained little traction.
By 2018, Rema’s viral Instagram freestyle to D’Prince’s “Gucci Gang” posted under the name Blitz caught the eye of Jonzing World’s D’Prince, who flew him to Lagos, marking his pivot from local dreamer to rising star.
Music Career
Rema’s career ignited in 2019 when he signed with Jonzing World, a Mavin Records subsidiary, under D’Prince and Don Jazzy’s mentorship.
His debut EP, Rema, dropped in March 2019, topping Apple Music Nigeria with hits like “Dumebi” (over 84 million YouTube views) and “Iron Man,” the latter landing on Barack Obama’s 2019 summer playlist.
That year, he released Rema Freestyle and Bad Commando EPs, followed by Rema Compilation in 2020, featuring “Beamer (Bad Boys),” which hit FIFA 21’s soundtrack.
In 2021, he coined his sound “Afrorave,” fusing Afrobeats with Arabian and Indian influences, a term first used by Toya Delazy but adapted by Rema to define his genre-blending style.
His debut album, Rave & Roses (March 2022), with 16 tracks featuring 6lack, Chris Brown, AJ Tracey, and Yseult, charted 10 songs on the US Billboard Afrobeats Chart.
Its lead single, “Calm Down,” exploded globally after a 2022 Selena Gomez remix, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and leading the US Afrobeats Songs chart for a record 58 weeks until October 2023.
In April 2023, Rave & Roses Ultra became the first African album to surpass 2 billion Spotify streams.
The Ravage EP (October 2023) and his second album, HEIS (July 2024), with Shallipopi and Odumodublvck, continued his streak, the latter earning a 2025 Grammy nod for Best Global Music Album.
By 2025, hits like “Benin Boys” and performances at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris solidified his stature.
Major Achievements
Rema’s accolades reflect his global impact. He won the 2019 Headies Next Rated Award, Soundcity MVP’s Best New Artist (2020), and the 2023 MTV VMA for Best Afrobeats Video with “Calm Down,” alongside a Billboard Music Award for Top Afrobeats Song.
Nominated for BET’s Best Viewers Choice: International Act (2020) and Best New International Act (2023), he received 1 billion streams worldwide by November 2022, celebrated onstage in London.
HEIS’s Grammy nomination marks his first, while his O2 Arena sell-out in November 2023—20,000 capacity—places him among Nigeria’s elite like Wizkid.
Endorsements with Pepsi (2021) and BMW, plus two Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack spots, underscore his crossover appeal.
Personal Life
Rema remains private yet vocal about his roots. A Christian, he donated ₦105 million to Christ Embassy in Benin City in September 2024, crediting the church for supporting his family post his father’s de@th, a loss he’s linked to PDP foul play in a 2020 tweet.
Unmarried and childless, he’s dated Justine Skye (Wizkid’s ex) as of 2024 but avoids commitment to focus on music, per interviews.
A Manchester United fan with over 20 tattoos symbolizing his journey, he balances fame with family duty, gifting his mother luxury despite past struggles.
His “Ravers” fanbase named for his Afrorave sound boasts millions across Instagram and Twitter.
Legacy and Impact
At 24, as of April 11, 2025, Rema’s net worth hovers at $2–7 million USD, amassed from streams, tours, and deals, though estimates vary.
Living between Lagos and global stages, he’s redefined Afrobeats, bridging African and Western sounds with Afrorave’s eclectic mix.
His resilience—hustling in Ghana at 15 to selling out Brixton Academy by 22 inspires youth, while his philanthropy and mentorship via Jonzing World echo his gratitude.
Critics occasionally note his brashness, like calling out DJ Neptune in 2021 over intellectual property, but fans laud his authenticity.
With HEIS’s Grammy bid and a trajectory rivaling Burna Boy, Rema’s legacy as a trailblazer is unfolding, his sound a global anthem for Nigeria’s new wave.
Conclusion
Rema’s meteoric journey through the vibrant expanse of Nigeria’s music scene stands as a luminous testament to resilience, innovation, and the transformative power of sound, a narrative that stretches from the gritty streets of Benin City to the global spotlight of sold-out arenas and Grammy nominations.
Born Divine Ikubor on May 1, 2000, Rema turned early adversity—the loss of his father and brother into a springboard for a career that ignited with 2019’s Rema EP and soared with 2022’s Rave & Roses, its “Calm Down” remix with Selena Gomez rewriting Afrobeats’ global playbook.
At 24, his evolution from a church choir rapper to the architect of Afrorave, fusing Afrobeats with Arabian and Indian hues has not only amassed him a net worth of $2–7 million as of April 11, 2025, but also positioned him as a cultural ambassador reshaping African music’s narrative.
His legacy gleams with milestones that marry grassroots grit with international acclaim.
Rave & Roses Ultra’s 2 billion Spotify streams, a first for an African album, and HEIS’s 2025 Grammy nod for Best Global Music Album underscore his sonic dominance, while his O2 Arena sell-out in 2023 and Ballon d’Or performance cement his live prowess.
Awards like the 2019 Headies Next Rated, 2023 MTV VMA, and a Billboard Music Award for “Calm Down” reflect his critical triumph, complemented by Pepsi and BMW deals and Black Panther soundtrack spots.
Yet, his path bears marks of defiance—calling out DJ Neptune in 2021 over intellectual property and personal sacrifice, like dropping out of UNILAG to honor his mother’s dreams differently, with a ₦105 million church donation in 2024 echoing his roots.
On a personal level, Divine Ikubor remains an enigmatic figure, unmarried, dating Justine Skye as of 2024, yet fiercely private, his Christian faith and Ika heritage threading through tattoos and lyrics that inspire his “Ravers” fanbase.
Living between Lagos and global tours, he balances fame with family duty, a Manchester United fan whose hustle at 15 in Ghana fueled his rise.
As of April 11, 2025, Divine Ikubor stands at a peak of youth and potential—his Afrorave sound a bridge between Nigeria’s soul and the world’s ears, his mentorship via Jonzing World a nod to his beginnings.
Whether history will crown him Afrobeats’ enduring king or a fleeting prodigy, his impact from Benin’s churches to Billboard’s charts is undeniable, a legacy still blooming as he redefines what it means to rave and rise in a global age.
Frequently Asked Questions on Rema
1. Who is Rema?
Rema, born Divine Ikubor, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and rapper known for pioneering Afrorave, a genre blending Afrobeats with Arabian and Indian influences, and for hits like “Calm Down.”
2. When and where was Rema born?
He was born on May 1, 2000, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
3. What is Rema’s age in 2025?
As of April 11, 2025, he is 24 years old.
4. What is Rema’s real name?
His real name is Divine Ikubor.
5. What is Rema’s ethnic background?
He is of Ika (Igboid) descent from Igbanke, Orhionmwon, Edo State, Nigeria.
6. Where did Rema grow up?
He grew up in Benin City, Edo State, until moving to Ghana at 15, later returning to Nigeria.
7. What is Rema’s educational background?
He attended Ighile Group of Schools in Edo State and enrolled at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 2022 for a B.Sc., but dropped out in 2023 due to an ASUU strike.
8. How did Rema start music?
He began rapping in church via the “Rap Nation” program and formed the duo RNA with Alpha P, winning a talent show in 2013 before going solo.
9. When did Rema start his professional music career?
He launched his career in 2019 after signing with Jonzing World, releasing his debut EP, Rema, in March that year.
10. What record label is Rema signed to?
He is signed to Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records, under D’Prince and Don Jazzy’s guidance.
11. What genre does Rema perform?
He performs Afrorave, a self-coined genre fusing Afrobeats with Arabian and Indian musical elements.
12. What was Rema’s breakthrough song?
“Dumebi” from his 2019 Rema EP became his breakout hit, topping charts and gaining over 84 million YouTube views.
13. What is Rema’s most viral song?
“Calm Down” (2022), especially its Selena Gomez remix, went viral globally, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
14. What are Rema’s major albums?
He has released Rave & Roses (2022), Rave & Roses Ultra (2023), and HEIS (2024), plus EPs like Ravage (2023).
15. How did “Calm Down” become so popular?
The 2022 remix with Selena Gomez, paired with a viral TikTok dance challenge, propelled it to chart-topping status worldwide.
16. What awards has Rema won?
He won the 2019 Headies Next Rated Award, Soundcity MVP’s Best New Artist (2020), and the 2023 MTV VMA and Billboard Music Award for “Calm Down.”
17. Is Rema nominated for a Grammy?
Yes, HEIS (2024) earned a 2025 Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album.
18. What is Rema’s biggest streaming achievement?
Rave & Roses Ultra (2023) became the first African album to surpass 2 billion streams on Spotify.
19. Has Rema performed at major events?
He performed at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris and sold out London’s O2 Arena (20,000 capacity) in November 2023.
20. Is Rema married?
No, as of April 11, 2025, he is unmarried but has been dating Justine Skye since 2024.
21. Does Rema have children?
There’s no public evidence he has children.
22. What religion does Rema practice?
He is a Christian, raised in the church, and donated ₦105 million to Christ Embassy in Benin City in 2024.
23. What happened to Rema’s father?
Justice Ikubor, a PDP chieftain, died mysteriously in 2008 at Bins Hotel in Benin City, a loss Rema has hinted was political foul play.
24. What is Rema’s net worth?
Estimated at $2–7 million USD as of April 11, 2025, from streams, tours, and endorsements like Pepsi and BMW, though figures vary.
25. What is Rema’s legacy as of 2025?
At 24, he’s a global Afrobeats pioneer with Afrorave, inspiring youth with his rise from hardship to selling out arenas, with a Grammy-nominated career still unfolding.
