Rema

Rema, born Divine Joshua Ikubor on May 1, 2000, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, is a singer, songwriter, and rapper who has become one of the leading figures in the global Afrobeats movement. His music blends Afrobeats, trap, and pop, creating a sound that is both fresh and familiar. He is credited with pioneering a subgenre he calls Afrorave, which fuses traditional African rhythms with futuristic production and influences from Arabian and Indian music. Rema's fanbase is known as the Ravers. As of 2026, at age 26, he remains one of the most commercially successful African artists of his generation, with a global reach that has helped bring Afrobeats to mainstream Western audiences. His work has set streaming and chart records for the genre, and he continues to shape the music landscape with his innovative style, serving as a key ambassador for African music worldwide. He is signed to Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records, and Interscope Records. Rema projects a youthful, energetic, fashion-forward image blending streetwear with high-end designer pieces, and is portrayed in media as an innovative, genre-blending pioneer. His content mixes playful, boastful, and introspective tones, and his fans engage in dance challenges and viral TikTok trends tied to his songs. He maintains a strong social media presence with millions of followers across Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube.[edit]

Rema was born into a close-knit Christian family in Benin City, Nigeria. His father, Justice Ikubor, passed away in 2008 when Rema was just 8 years old. Seven years later, his elder brother also died. These losses forced Rema to grow up fast, and he took on the responsibility of supporting his mother and two surviving sisters. At one point, he worked in Ghana to earn money for his household, showing remarkable resilience. He attended the Ighile Group of Schools for primary and secondary education in Edo State. In January 2022, he gained admission to the University of Lagos, honoring his mother’s wishes. His musical journey started in church, where he sang as a child. During secondary school, he began writing raps and songs. By age 11, he was actively making music in Benin, initially as a rapper in a church group. He later tried to align his sound with commercial trends but found his true voice on social media, where he shared free verses and participated in music challenges to build an audience. He started as a fan of Daft Punk and rock music before shifting to rap and Afrobeats. In 2018, Rema posted a 1-minute freestyle video to D'Prince's Gucci Gang on social media. The video caught D'Prince's attention, leading to a record deal with Jonzing World in 2019. This marked the official start of his professional music career.[edit]

Rema's debut self-titled EP in 2019 was a major success. The single Dumebi went viral, and Iron Man earned a spot on Barack Obama's 2019 summer playlist, giving Rema early international recognition. The EP hit number one on Apple Music Nigeria. He won City People Revelation of the Year and The Headies Next Rated in 2019, and The Future Awards Africa Music prize in 2020. In 2022, Rema released his debut album Rave & Roses, which peaked at No. 81 on the Billboard 200. The lead single Calm Down became a global phenomenon; the remix with Selena Gomez peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, led the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart for a record 58 weeks, and became the first Afrobeats track to surpass 1 billion Spotify streams. Calm Down swept major awards in 2023, including MTV VMA Best Afrobeats and Best New Artist, multiple iHeartRadio wins, Billboard Top Afrobeats Song, Trace Awards Song of the Year, and several Headies categories (Best Male Artist, African Artist of the Year, Digital Artist of the Year). He performed at major international festivals. In 2024, he released his second studio album Heis, preceded by the single Benin Boys with Shallipopi. Heis earned Rema his first Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album. In 2025, Heis won The Headies Afrobeats Album of the Year and Album of the Year. In 2026, he won multiple AFRIMMA awards including Artist of the Year (second time), Best African Artiste/Duo/Group in R&B & Soul, Best Male Artist in Western Africa, and R&B & Soul award for Baby (Is It a Crime). Rema continues global touring and festival appearances, and remains active in studio work and new releases. He has collaborated with Selena Gomez, Shallipopi, and others, and served as a Pepsi brand ambassador alongside Ayra Starr in 2021.[edit]

Rema's public persona blends youthful energy with a fashion-forward aesthetic that mixes streetwear and high-end designer pieces. Known for his confident, humorous, and direct voice on social media, he engages fans through dance challenges and viral TikTok trends tied to his songs. Media portray him as an innovative genre-blending pioneer and a global ambassador for Afrobeats. His fanbase, called the Ravers, is highly active in promoting his music and participating in online challenges. Rema's content often oscillates between playful boastfulness and introspective reflections, reflecting his journey from tragedy to global stardom.[edit]

Rema presides over a digital movement he has christened The Revival, a moniker that extends from his self-styled title of President to the identity of his supporters. While Western pop cultures often adopt distinct collective nouns, Rema's audience, widely recognized as the Ravers, organizes around this shared branding rather than a separate nickname. Their engagement is defined by high-volume streaming activity and direct social media interaction, fueling the global ascent of tracks like Calm Down and recent releases such as Tea. This dedicated following operates with a cohesion that mirrors organized campaigns, driving the artist's metrics across platforms where he commands millions of followers.

The scale of this influence is quantified by the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, which place Rema at the 14th most famous person in Nigeria, a position he maintains from the previous cycle. His standing is further cemented as the 7th most famous person from Nigeria and the 61st most famous person in Africa, according to the same authoritative source. Within his specific musical domain, he ranks as the 4th most famous person in Afrobeats, reflecting his dominance in a genre he helped pioneer. These placements track global attention across media coverage, consumption patterns, and cultural resonance worldwide without relying on transient search spikes.[edit]

Before finding success in rap and Afrobeats, Rema was an avid listener of Daft Punk and rock music. He personally coined and created the Afrorave subgenre to describe his fusion of traditional African rhythms with futuristic production. Following the tragic deaths of his father and brother, he moved to Ghana to work and support his family, though his mother insisted he eventually attend university despite his rising career. Standing 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) tall with a slim build, he once noted regarding his early struggles, They told me if I want to make it to Lagos, I have to sound commercial. I tried to vibe to it but I wasn't really good at it. A poignant reflection on his brother's death reads, That day, he vowed to make something of himself. He appeared on the cover of The Native magazine in 2019 under the headline Meet Rema, The Kid From Benin With The World At His Feet.

A foundational legend of his career involves the accidental nature of his discovery; after uploading a one-minute freestyle video in 2018, he was signed to Mavin Records, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. Another iconic moment centers on Calm Down, which became the first Afrobeats track to reach 1 billion Spotify streams, marking a definitive shift for the genre into mainstream Western culture. In 2026, the release of Tea and its accompanying visual featuring Roomies generated immediate viral momentum, reinforcing his status as a living legend whose digital ascent continues to define modern Afrobeats lore.[edit]

Rema was born to Justice Ikubor and Mrs. Ikubor. He has two sisters and a late brother. His father died in 2008, and his brother passed away around 2015. Rema has spoken about how these losses shaped him and motivated him to succeed. He remains close to his mother and siblings. He identifies as Christian and is from the Edo tribe, specifically Igbanke in Orhionmwon LGA. His mother insisted he attend university despite his music success, and he enrolled at the University of Lagos in January 2022.[edit]

Rema was discovered by D'Prince, who signed him to Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records. He collaborated with Selena Gomez on the Calm Down remix. He was also a Pepsi brand ambassador alongside label mate Ayra Starr. Former US President Barack Obama featured his song Iron Man on a summer playlist. [edit]

As of 2026, Rema's romantic relationships are not publicly documented. He has kept his personal life private, and no confirmed public romantic relationships, engagements, marriages, or children are reported in credible sources. Multiple biographies and interviews note he has not publicly discussed dating, and no high-profile flings or partnerships have been verified by multiple outlets. Rema is currently reported as single and focused on his music career.[edit]

As things stand in 2026, iFANN currently estimates Rema's net worth at $5 Million. His income derives primarily from music sales, streaming royalties, and live performances, having headlined major tours and performed at festivals globally. He has secured endorsement deals, including a partnership with Pepsi alongside Ayra Starr in 2021. His music catalog, particularly the global hit Calm Down, continues to generate significant revenue as it became the first Afrobeats track to reach 1 billion Spotify streams. He has invested in real estate and maintains a residence in Lagos, Nigeria. Additional earnings flow from publishing and catalog revenue through Mavin/Jonzing World/Interscope. While still early in his career, Rema's financial standing has grown steadily since his debut in 2019, with projections suggesting further increases as he expands his brand and international reach.[edit]

Rema has won multiple awards, including an MTV Video Music Award and iHeartRadio honors, recognizing his impact on global music. His work has been celebrated for blending Afrobeats with pop and trap influences. [edit]