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Quick Facts
- Real name: Divine Ikubor (also reported as Divine Joshua Ikubor)
- Born: May 1, 2000, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
- Genre: Afrobeats, Afro-Rave
- Years active: 2019 to present
- Label: Jonzing World, Mavin Records
- Studio albums: 2 (Rave & Roses, 2022; HEIS, 2024)
- Grammy nomination: Best Global Music Album (2025, for HEIS)
- Signature hit: “Calm Down” (remix with Selena Gomez)
Rema has become one of the most recognizable names to emerge from the newer generation of Afrobeats artists, known for a sound he calls Afro-Rave. His breakout hit “Calm Down” turned him into a genuine global pop presence, and his journey from Benin City to international stages reflects how far Afrobeats has traveled in recent years. This Rema biography covers his real name, early life, career breakthrough, major songs and current standing in the genre.
Who Is Rema?
Rema’s real name is Divine Ikubor, though some sources report his fuller name as Divine Joshua Ikubor. He was born on May 1, 2000, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, which makes him 26 years old as of 2026. He performs under the stage name Rema, a name that has become closely associated with a newer, genre-blending strand of Afrobeats aimed at a global Gen Z audience.
Early Life and Background
Rema grew up in Benin City in a Christian household and faced difficult circumstances early in life. His father, Justice Ikubor, a former political party figure, died when Rema was still young. He later lost his elder brother as well. His mother, who worked as a trader, raised and supported the family through those years. Music first became serious for him inside the church, where he performed gospel rap and learned how to command an audience before ever entering a professional recording studio.
Music Career
Rema’s professional career effectively began after a series of freestyle videos he posted went viral, catching the attention of Mavin Records founder Don Jazzy. He signed with D’Prince’s Jonzing World label, a Mavin Records imprint, in 2019. That same year, he released his self-titled debut EP, which introduced his blend of Afrobeats, trap and pop rap to a wider Nigerian audience.
Afrobeats Breakthrough
His 2019 single “Dumebi” became his first major breakout record and remains one of the longest-running number one songs on the US Afrobeats Songs chart. The track’s success established him as a rising force within Nigeria’s music scene at a young age. From there, songs like “Iron Man” helped extend his reach beyond Nigeria and into international conversations about the next wave of Afrobeats talent.
Songs and Projects
Rema released his debut studio album, Rave & Roses, in 2022, which reached number 81 on the Billboard 200. The album included “Calm Down,” a song that later received a remix featuring American singer Selena Gomez. That remix peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart for a record-breaking stretch of 58 weeks, making it one of the most successful Afrobeats crossover records to date.
His second studio album, HEIS, arrived in 2024 and marked a deliberate shift toward a heavier, more experimental sound. The album debuted at number two on Nigeria’s Official Top 100 Albums chart before climbing to number one, and it stayed on the chart for 29 weeks while accumulating more than 104 million streams. HEIS earned Rema his first Grammy nomination, for Best Global Music Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, and included the widely discussed track “Benin Boys” featuring fellow Edo artist Shallipopi.
In 2025, Rema continued releasing new material at a steady pace. “Baby (Is It a Crime),” which samples Sade’s 1985 song “Is It a Crime,” became one of Nigeria’s most-streamed songs of the year. He followed it with singles including “Bout U” and “Kelebu,” the latter released in August 2025 through Mavin and Jonzing World.
Collaborations
Beyond his work with Selena Gomez, Rema has collaborated with a wide range of international artists across genres. His features include appearances alongside Offset, Chris Brown, Anitta, Feid, Dadju and Ice Spice. These collaborations reflect his positioning as an artist comfortable moving between Afrobeats, pop, hip-hop and Latin music, rather than staying within a single lane.
Awards and Achievements
Rema has received recognition from major award bodies, including the MTV Video Music Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards and BET Awards. At the 2024 ASCAP London Music Awards, “Calm Down” won Song of the Year and Top Streaming Song. His BRIT Awards performance also marked a major milestone for an African artist. Rema was the first African artist billed specifically as a performer at the ceremony. His commercial success has also placed him among Nigeria’s highest-earning musicians in recent Forbes rankings.
Musical Style and Influence
Rema describes his sound as Afro-Rave, a term he created for his approach to Afrobeats. The style combines Afrobeats with house, hip-hop, trap and dancehall influences. This blend gives his music a distinct identity that crosses several genres. His willingness to experiment has made him one of the more distinctive young voices in Afrobeats.
Personal Life
Rema has largely kept his personal life private, focusing public attention on his music rather than his relationships. He has not publicly confirmed any romantic partnerships and has spoken about staying close to his mother, whom he has publicly supported, including gifting her a vehicle after his career took off. In 2020, he publicly linked his father’s death to the actions of a Nigerian political party, drawing attention to a personal loss that shaped his early life. He has also taken part in charitable activities supporting education and healthcare initiatives in his community.
Current Career
As of 2026, Rema continues to release music regularly. He remains one of the defining younger voices in Afrobeats. His move from the melodic sound of Rave & Roses to the harder-edged HEIS reflects his willingness to take creative risks. A Grammy nomination and steady run of singles have strengthened his position. Rema remains one of the artists shaping the next phase of Afrobeats.
Conclusion
Rema’s rise from a church choir in Benin City to global charts illustrates how quickly Afrobeats has expanded its reach over the past several years. His willingness to experiment with sound, rather than settle into a single style, has helped him stand out even within a genre full of ambitious young talent. His ongoing releases suggest his influence on Afrobeats is still very much in progress.
