Rema is one of the most recognizable names in modern Afrobeats. The Nigerian singer and songwriter has built an international audience with a distinctive sound that combines Afrobeats, pop, trap and his own Afrorave style. From his early days in Benin City to international success with songs such as “Dumebi,” “Calm Down,” “Soundgasm” and “Baby (Is It a Crime)”, Rema has become an important figure in the global growth of African music.
Born Divine Ikubor, Rema began his professional music career in 2019 and quickly attracted attention after signing with Jonzing World, a label founded by D’Prince. His career later expanded through his relationship with Mavin Records and international label partnerships.
This article covers Rema’s age, real name, parents, education, family background, music career, popular songs, albums, achievements and estimated net worth.
Rema Biography at a Glance
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Divine Ikubor |
| Stage name | Rema |
| Date of birth | May 1, 2000 |
| Age | 26 years old in 2026 |
| Place of birth | Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Profession | Singer, songwriter, rapper and performer |
| Music style | Afrobeats, Afrorave, pop, trap and hip-hop influences |
| Record label associations | Jonzing World, Mavin Records and Interscope |
| Breakthrough song | “Dumebi” |
| Major international hit | “Calm Down” featuring Selena Gomez |
| Debut album | Rave & Roses |
| Second studio album | HEIS |
Rema was born on May 1, 2000, which makes him 26 years old as of September 2026. He was born and raised in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, an environment that has played an important role in his identity as an artist.
What Is Rema’s Real Name?
Rema’s real name is Divine Ikubor.
He chose “Rema” as his professional name and became widely known by the shorter stage name as his music career developed. Unlike some artists whose stage names completely separate them from their personal identities, Rema has frequently connected his music and public image to his upbringing, experiences and Nigerian background.
His music is particularly notable for combining local African influences with sounds that appeal to listeners around the world. This approach has helped him establish a recognizable identity rather than simply following existing Afrobeats trends.
How Old Is Rema?
Rema was born on May 1, 2000. Therefore, he turned 26 in May 2026.
His relatively young age is one of the striking parts of his career story. He achieved major commercial success while still in his late teens and early twenties and went on to build an international audience before reaching his mid-20s.
Rema’s early success also shows how social media, streaming platforms and digital music distribution have changed the path available to young African musicians. An artist no longer needs to spend many years building a traditional record-industry career before reaching listeners outside Nigeria.
Where Is Rema From?
Rema is from Benin City in Edo State, Nigeria. He has also spoken about his connection to the Edo region and its cultural influence on him.
Benin City is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, and Rema has incorporated elements of his background into his artistic identity. His music does not fit neatly into one category. Instead, he has experimented with Afrobeats, trap, pop, hip-hop and other sounds.
One term strongly associated with Rema is Afrorave. He has used the term to describe the musical world he is developing around his sound and artistic personality.
Who Are Rema’s Parents?
Rema was born to Justice Ikubor and Mrs. Ikubor.
His father, Justice Ikubor, was a Nigerian political figure and businessman associated with Edo State. He died when Rema was still young. Rema’s family subsequently experienced further hardship, including the death of his elder brother.
The loss of family members had a significant effect on Rema’s early life. Several biographical accounts describe how these experiences forced him to become mature at a young age.
His personal story is therefore not simply one of overnight musical success. Before becoming an internationally known artist, Rema experienced difficult circumstances that influenced his outlook and ambition.
Because details about the private lives of Rema’s family members are not always consistently reported across sources, it is better to rely on publicly documented information rather than repeat unverified claims.
Rema’s Education
Rema attended Ighile Group of Schools in Edo State for his early education, according to several biographical sources. He later attended university in Nigeria.
There have been conflicting reports online about the specific university and the status of his studies. Some older biographies identify the University of Lagos, while more recent accounts give different details about his university education. For that reason, claims that Rema completed a university degree should be treated cautiously.
What is clearer is that education was important to his family, while his growing music career eventually became his main professional focus.
This is an important distinction because online celebrity biographies sometimes repeat old information for years without checking whether circumstances have changed.
How Did Rema Start His Music Career?
Rema’s professional breakthrough can be traced to his online music activities as a teenager.
Before becoming a major star, he shared music and freestyles online. One of the important moments in his early career came when a freestyle connected to D’Prince’s “Gucci Gang” attracted the attention of D’Prince.
In 2019, Rema signed with Jonzing World, D’Prince’s record label, with a partnership involving Mavin Records. This gave the young artist a professional platform from which to develop his sound and release music to a much wider audience.
His early releases quickly demonstrated that he was different from many other emerging Nigerian artists.
Rather than simply reproducing a familiar Afrobeats formula, Rema combined melodic singing, rap, electronic textures, trap influences and unusual production choices.
Rema’s Breakthrough With “Dumebi”
One of Rema’s earliest major successes was “Dumebi.”
Released in 2019, the song became a major hit in Nigeria and across other African markets. Its catchy hook, energetic production and Rema’s youthful delivery helped introduce him to a large audience.
“Dumebi” was especially important because it established Rema as more than a promising newcomer. It showed that he could create music capable of standing out in Nigeria’s highly competitive music industry.
His self-titled debut EP, Rema, further established his position as one of the country’s most exciting young artists.
His early songs also demonstrated a willingness to experiment, something that later became a defining feature of his career.
Rema’s Most Popular Songs
Rema has released numerous songs since his professional debut. Some of his best-known tracks include:
- Dumebi
- Iron Man
- Lady
- Why
- Ginger Me
- Beamer (Bad Boys)
- Woman
- Bounce
- Soundgasm
- Calm Down
- Holiday
- Charm
- Benin Boys
- Hehehe
- Yayo
- Trouble Maker
- Baby (Is It a Crime)
- FUN
These songs represent different stages of his musical development.
“Iron Man”
“Iron Man” was one of Rema’s early songs that helped attract international attention. The track was also included on former U.S. President Barack Obama’s 2019 summer playlist, giving the young Nigerian artist additional exposure.
“Soundgasm”
Released in 2021, “Soundgasm” became another important entry in Rema’s catalogue. The song demonstrated his interest in sensual, atmospheric production and helped build anticipation for his first full studio album.
“Calm Down”
“Calm Down” is arguably the song that transformed Rema from a major Nigerian artist into a global pop star.
The original song was released in 2022 and later received a remix featuring Selena Gomez. The collaboration introduced the song to an even larger international audience.
The remix eventually reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, a landmark achievement for a Nigerian artist. Forbes also reported that the song reached No. 6 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart in 2024, demonstrating its unusually long-lasting appeal.
The song’s success was not limited to the United States. It became a global streaming and radio hit and helped bring Rema’s music to listeners who might previously have had little exposure to contemporary Nigerian music.
“Calm Down” also achieved an extraordinary run on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart, where it became the longest-running song in the chart’s history at the time, reaching 64 weeks on the chart in January 2024.
“Benin Boys”
“Benin Boys,” featuring fellow Nigerian artist Shallipopi, highlighted Rema’s connection to his Edo roots.
The song became one of the notable releases from the period surrounding his second studio album and further demonstrated Rema’s interest in representing his cultural background through contemporary music.
“Baby (Is It a Crime)”
“Baby (Is It a Crime)” was released in February 2025 and became another major Nigerian chart success.
According to TurnTable Charts, the song debuted at No. 1 on Nigeria’s Official Top 100 and became Rema’s fifth No. 1 entry on the chart.
The song also reached No. 1 on the Official Afrobeats Chart in the United Kingdom and peaked at No. 53 on the UK Official Singles Chart.
The track’s title and sound also attracted attention because it draws from the musical legacy of Sade, giving the release a nostalgic quality while retaining Rema’s modern Afrobeats approach.
Rema’s Albums and EPs
Rema’s discography includes several important projects.
Rema EP
His early self-titled project helped introduce him to the Nigerian music scene in 2019.
Songs from this period, particularly “Dumebi,” quickly established him as one of the country’s most promising young acts.
Rave & Roses
Rema released his debut studio album, Rave & Roses, in 2022.
The album was a major step forward in his career and contained “Calm Down,” which later became his biggest international hit.
The album helped demonstrate that Rema could move beyond singles and create a broader artistic identity.
Ravage EP
In 2023, Rema released Ravage, an EP that continued his experimentation with different sounds and production styles.
HEIS
Rema’s second studio album, HEIS, was released in July 2024.
The project pushed his Afrorave identity further and featured collaborations with artists including Shallipopi and Odumodublvck. The Financial Times described HEIS as a showcase of Rema’s artistic evolution and noted its combination of trap, house, pop, West African rhythms and other influences.
The album also earned Rema his first Grammy nomination, in the Best Global Music Album category.
What Genre of Music Does Rema Make?
Rema is primarily associated with Afrobeats and Afrorave, although his music draws from several genres.
His songs can contain elements of:
- Afrobeats
- Afro-pop
- Trap
- Hip-hop
- Pop
- Amapiano
- Electronic music
This genre-blending approach is one reason Rema has been able to attract audiences beyond Africa.
Instead of treating Afrobeats as a fixed formula, he experiments with different rhythms, vocal techniques and production styles. His music can therefore sound familiar to Afrobeats listeners while still being accessible to international pop audiences.
Rema’s Awards and Achievements
Rema has received numerous awards, nominations and chart achievements during his career.
One of his early major recognitions came in 2019 when he won the Next Rated category at The Headies.
His international achievements increased significantly following the success of “Calm Down.”
The collaboration with Selena Gomez became one of the most successful African songs in the international market, while Rema continued to release music that performed strongly in Nigeria and other countries.
His second album, HEIS, also demonstrated that his success was not dependent on one global hit. The project showed his willingness to continue experimenting even after reaching a mainstream international audience.
In 2025, “Baby (Is It a Crime)” became Rema’s fifth No. 1 song on Nigeria’s Official Top 100. Later that year, “FUN” also debuted at No. 1, giving him multiple Nigerian No. 1 singles in 2025.
What Is Rema’s Net Worth?
Rema’s exact net worth is not publicly verified.
This is important because many websites publish different figures for celebrity net worth without explaining how the numbers were calculated. Estimates found online have ranged from around $5 million to more than $20 million, depending on the source and the year.
Rather than presenting one figure as fact, it is more accurate to say that Rema is a highly successful commercial artist whose income comes from several sources.
These may include:
- Music streaming royalties
- Songwriting and publishing
- Concert performances
- International tours
- Brand partnerships
- Endorsements
- Merchandise and other commercial activities
His growing international audience and extensive catalogue have increased his earning potential, but there is no reliable public financial statement that establishes his personal net worth with certainty.
Therefore, any article claiming that Rema is worth an exact amount should be understood as an estimate, not confirmed financial information.
How Does Rema Make Money?
Music is naturally one of Rema’s biggest sources of income.
Every time his music is streamed, purchased, licensed or performed commercially, different parties involved in the music business may receive revenue. The amount that ultimately reaches the artist depends on contracts, labels, publishers, distributors, producers and other rights holders.
Live performances are another important source of income for successful musicians. As Rema’s international popularity has increased, so has his ability to perform at major concerts, festivals and events.
Brand partnerships can also contribute substantially to an established artist’s income. Rema has worked with major commercial brands during his career, using his international profile to connect music with fashion, technology, automobiles and consumer products.
Because individual contracts are generally private, however, the exact amount Rema earns from a particular performance or endorsement should not be assumed unless it has been officially disclosed.
Why Is Rema So Popular?
Rema’s popularity comes from several factors.
First, he has a distinctive voice and recognizable musical identity. His songs often sound different from one another while still retaining characteristics that make them identifiable as Rema records.
Second, he understands the importance of global music audiences. His collaborations and international releases have allowed his music to travel far beyond Nigeria.
Third, streaming and social media have helped his music reach young listeners quickly.
Finally, Rema has built a strong visual and artistic identity around his music. From his fashion choices to his album concepts and performances, he presents himself as more than a conventional Afrobeats singer.
Rema’s Impact on Afrobeats
Rema belongs to a generation of Nigerian artists helping Afrobeats become increasingly global.
Artists such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Tems and Rema have contributed in different ways to the international visibility of Nigerian and African music.
Rema’s particular contribution is his willingness to experiment.
His success demonstrates that an African artist can draw inspiration from local culture while incorporating global sounds without abandoning his identity.
“Calm Down” was particularly important in this regard. Its success showed that a song rooted in Nigeria could achieve significant mainstream success in markets such as the United States and Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rema
What is Rema’s real name?
Rema’s real name is Divine Ikubor.
How old is Rema in 2026?
Rema is 26 years old in 2026. He was born on May 1, 2000.
Where was Rema born?
Rema was born in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
Who are Rema’s parents?
Rema’s parents are Justice Ikubor and Mrs. Ikubor. His father died when Rema was young.
What is Rema’s biggest song?
“Calm Down,” particularly the remix featuring Selena Gomez, is widely regarded as Rema’s biggest international hit. The remix reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
When did Rema start his music career?
Rema’s professional music career began in 2019, when he signed with Jonzing World and released music that quickly attracted national and international attention.
What is Rema’s latest major hit?
Among his notable recent releases is “Baby (Is It a Crime)”, which reached No. 1 on Nigeria’s Official Top 100 in February 2025.
What is Rema’s net worth?
Rema’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. Online estimates vary considerably, so specific figures should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed financial facts.