Rema is a Nigerian musician renowned as a rapper, singer, and songwriter.
He first gained prominence with the debut of his track “Dumebi” in 2019.
Early life and Education 
born on May 1, 2000, Divine Ikubor hails from a Christian household in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. His upbringing involved a passion for singing and rapping, which he cultivated during his secondary school years. He pursued his primary and secondary education at Ighile Group of Schools in Edo State. Sadly, both his father and elder brother have passed away, leaving Rema to care for his mother.
Career
Rema’s journey into the music scene began in churches alongside Alpha P. It was in 2018 when he made waves with a viral freestyle on Instagram, rapping over D’Prince’s “Gucci Gang” track, catching the attention of D’Prince himself. This led to Rema being flown to Lagos and offered a record deal by D’Prince’s Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records owned by Don Jazzy, in 2019. His self-titled debut EP, “Rema,” released the same year, soared to the number 1 spot on Apple Music Nigeria. The music video for “Dumebi,” one of the EP’s breakout hits, was released in May 2019 and has amassed over 70 million views on YouTube. Notably, one of his songs from the EP made it to former US President Barack Obama’s summer playlist in 2019.
In September 2020, Rema’s music featured on the soundtrack of FIFA 21, further expanding his global reach. Then, in September 2021, he was announced as a brand ambassador for Pepsi alongside his label mate Ayra Starr, cementing his status as a rising star in the Nigerian music scene.
Following his signing with Jonzing World in 2019, Rema embarked on a prolific journey, releasing his debut EP “Rema,” followed by two more EPs: “Freestyle” and “Bad Commando.” However, it was his debut album, “Rave & Roses,” released on March 25, 2022, that truly solidified his place in the industry. Featuring collaborations with artists like 6lack, Chris Brown, AJ Tracey, and Yseult, the album garnered international acclaim, charting 10 songs on the US Billboard Afrobeats Chart in its debut week.
One standout track, “Calm Down,” gained traction months after its release, eventually becoming the most-viewed Afrobeats video on YouTube. Its remix featuring Selena Gomez propelled it to even greater heights, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and accumulating numerous accolades, including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Afrobeats Video and the Billboard Music Award for Top Afrobeats Song.
Rema’s success continued to soar, as evidenced by his achievement of 1 billion streams worldwide during his London concert in November 2022. He was further recognized with the Digital Artist of the Year award at the Soundcity MVP Awards in February 2023.
In April 2023, Rema released a deluxe version of “Rave & Roses” titled “Rave & Roses Ultra,” becoming the first African album to surpass one billion streams on Spotify. Later that year, he dropped the “Ravage” EP and performed at the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, France, showcasing his growing influence and global appeal.
In 2019, South African musician Toya Delazy pioneered the “Afrorave” genre, blending elements of garage with Zulu lyrics. Then, in May 2021, Rema embraced this genre, declaring his sound as “Afrorave.” His interpretation infuses Afrobeats with Arabian and Indian musical influences, resulting in a unique sonic experience. This distinctive style has garnered him a dedicated fanbase known as Ravers, solidifying his position as one of Nigeria’s most influential artists.
Personal life 
In 2022, Ikubor secured admission to the University of Lagos but had to leave the institution in 2023 due to a strike by the ASUU teaching union. Additionally, on September 28, 2020, Rema took to Twitter to level accusations against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) concerning the passing of his father, Justice Ikubor, a former member of the party’s leadership.
Impact
Rema’s impact on the global music scene has garnered widespread recognition and acclaim from critics and industry insiders alike. Rolling Stone hailed him as an emblem of Afrobeats’ global ascent, while Anthony Udugba of Business Day highlighted how Rema has expanded the horizons of African music on the global stage.
The Guardian Nigeria praised Rema for setting a high standard in the flourishing Afrobeats landscape, showcasing Nigerian music’s global appeal and dominance. The Native emphasized the indelible mark Rema has made on Afrobeats history, while Victor Okpala lauded him as a true musical trailblazer whose sound has cemented his place in the industry.
Critics have consistently commended Rema for breaking barriers and inspiring fellow African artists, acknowledging his role in shaping and elevating the continent’s music on the international stage.
Net WorthÂ
Estimated to be around 2 million dollars