African Folder Logo

Join 10,000 Pan-Africans like you

Rema

Rema Biography

Date of Birth: May 1, 2000
Country of Origin: Nigeria
Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Rapper
Rema
Rema [Tooxclusive]
Divine Ikubor, professionally known as Rema, was born on May 1, 2000, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Growing up in a Christian family, he was influenced by diverse music genres, including Afrobeat, hip-hop, and trap, drawing inspiration from artists like Fela Kuti, 2Baba, and Drake. Rema began singing and rapping at a young age, performing in church and local events while honing his craft. After losing his father and brother, he took on family responsibilities, fueling his drive to succeed in music.
In 2018, Rema gained attention by posting a freestyle to D’Prince’s Gucci Gang on Instagram, catching the eye of the Jonzing World label, an affiliate of Mavin Records. Signed in 2019, he released his self-titled debut EP, Rema, featuring the viral hit Dumebi, which blended Afrobeat and trap to captivate audiences. Follow-up EPs Freestyle and Bad Commando showcased his versatility, with tracks like Iron Man charting on US Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales. His unique “Afrorave” sound, fusing Afrobeat with global influences, set him apart as a genre innovator.
Rema’s 2022 debut album, Raves & Roses, propelled him to global stardom, with the single Calm Down (and its remix featuring Selena Gomez) becoming a massive hit, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning over 2 billion Spotify streams. The album, featuring collaborations with Chris Brown and 6lack, earned a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album in 2023. His high-energy performances at events like the 2023 NBA All-Star Game and sold-out world tours solidified his status as a global Afrobeats ambassador.
As of 2025, Rema, with an estimated net worth of $1–$2 million, continues to dominate with his sophomore album HEIS (2024), featuring hits like Benin Boys with Shallipopi. Unmarried and private about his personal life, he focuses on music and his Ravers fanbase. With over 20 awards, including MTV EMA and BET Best International Act nominations, Rema is a leading voice in Afrobeats.
Follow him on Instagram (@heisrema)

Here’s Why The Majors Are Acquiring African Music Companies

The African music industry is experiencing a golden era, marked by explosive growth, increasing…

Top 10 Nigerian Songs This Week

So far in 2024, the Nigerian music scene has produced numerous chart-topping hits, with…

9 Notable Collaborations Between Nigerian Musicians And The Marley Family

Music has more than one royal family, but none more iconic and revered than…

Why 2-Pack Singles Are Becoming Popular

Any keen listeners of Afrobeats would observe that two-pack tapes have become very popular…

- Advertisement -