Divine Ikubor, better known as Rema, went from a church choir boy in Benin City into one of Africa’s most commercially successful artists. At 25 years old, he’s shattered records that seemed impossible just a few years ago. His 2022 hit “Calm Down” became the first African-led track to reach 1 billion Spotify streams, and it peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. That’s the highest any Afrobeats song has ever climbed on that chart.
Biography
Rema was born on May 1, 2000, in Benin City, Edo State, making him currently 25 years old. He’ll turn 26 in May 2026.
When Rema was just eight years old, his father, Justice Ikubor, died under mysterious circumstances. Justice had been a PDP chieftain and former General Manager of Ethiope Publishing Company. He was found dead at Bins Hotel in Benin City on May 8, 2008.
The circumstances surrounding his father’s death remain controversial. Rema has publicly questioned what really happened, even accusing the PDP of involvement in a 2020 tweet. What’s certain is that his family’s fortunes collapsed overnight. Extended relatives shunned them due to cultural superstitions, and they lost their apartment. The family had been processing visas to relocate to London just before the tragedy struck. Instead, Rema’s mother moved the family to her village, then later to Ghana.
More heartbreak followed around 2015 when Rema’s elder brother died during surgery. The brother who had introduced him to music bled to death after doctors cut him wrongly while performing surgery by candlelight. “They cut him wrongly while performing surgery by candlelight, and he bled to death,” Rema revealed on Twitter. These losses left him as the only male in his family.
Throughout these dark years, Christ Embassy Church in Benin City became his refuge. The church supported his mother financially, with pastors even opening a shop for her. Rema started singing in the church choir and eventually led a youth rap initiative called “Rap Nation,” where he taught other young people how to rap. In September 2024, Rema donated ₦105 million (roughly $65,000) to the church during a homecoming visit. It was his way of repaying the institution that sustained his family when they had nothing.
Career
Rema’s path to professional music started around 2013 when he co-founded the duo RNA with his childhood friend Alpha P. They won Season 2 of Pikolo’s Dream Alive talent show, signed with Peak Entertainment, and released their debut single “Mercy.” However, this arrangement ended controversially, with MC Pikolo later filing court documents alleging Rema prematurely terminated a five-year contract.
The real breakthrough came in February 2018. Rema posted a freestyle cover of D’Prince’s “Gucci Gang” on Instagram, and the video went viral. It caught the attention of D’Prince, who happens to be Don Jazzy’s brother. D’Prince flew to Benin City to meet the then-17-year-old and his mother. After spending the rest of 2018 in artist development training alongside established Mavin acts like Tiwa Savage, Rema was officially unveiled by Jonzing World on March 22, 2019.
His self-titled debut EP dropped the same day, and all four tracks dominated Apple Music Nigeria immediately. “Iron Man,” “Dumebi,” “Why,” and “Corny” became instant hits. Within months, “Iron Man” appeared on Barack Obama’s 2019 Summer Playlist at number 42. He was the only Nigerian artist on a list that included Drake, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z. By year’s end, Rema had won Next Rated at the Headies, Nigeria’s most prestigious emerging artist award.
But the moment that changed everything came with “Calm Down,” released on February 11, 2022, as part of his debut album “Rave & Roses.” When Selena Gomez added her vocals to a remix on August 25, 2022, the song exploded globally. The collaboration happened organically, with both artists already being mutual fans. The remix’s achievements are unprecedented for Afrobeats. It spent 57 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaked at number three, and spent 58 consecutive weeks at number one on Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart. That’s the longest reign in the chart’s history.
The song achieved Diamond certification in France and Brazil, 4× Platinum in the U.S., and became the first Nigerian song to reach 1 billion views on YouTube in November 2024. According to IFPI, “Calm Down” was the second best-selling global single of 2023 with 1.89 billion subscription stream equivalents.
Rema has released two studio albums so far. “Rave & Roses” in March 2022 featured collaborations with 6lack, Chris Brown, and AJ Tracey, and it became the first African album to cross 2 billion Spotify streams. His second album, “HEIS,” dropped in July 2024 and peaked at number one on the UK Official Albums Chart. More importantly, it earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album at the 67th Grammy Awards in 2025. That’s his first Grammy nomination.
Rema has coined his sound “Afro-rave,” blending Afrobeats with Arabian, Indian, and electronic influences. His 2024 album “HEIS” marked a deliberate shift toward darker, drum-driven production with heavy Edo cultural references, showing his artistic growth beyond crossover-friendly pop songs.
Rema’s influence extends beyond music into the world of high fashion. In June 2025, he made his runway debut at Paris Fashion Week Men’s, walking for the 424 by Guillermo Andrade Spring/Summer 2026 collection. The show, held at the historic Monnaie de Paris, featured a collaboration between the American streetwear brand and luxury automaker Porsche.
Personal Life
Rema maintains significant privacy around his personal relationships. He’s never officially confirmed any romantic relationship, though persistent rumours link him to American singer Justine Skye since late 2023. The pair have been spotted together at her birthday celebration in Israel, at church in Lagos on New Year’s Eve 2024, and at Lagos nightclubs. Other rumoured connections include Selena Gomez, Tyla, Tems, and TikTok star Kelly Akoussah, but none of these have been confirmed.
In interviews, Rema has stated he avoids committed relationships because he doesn’t want to “play with ladies’ emotions.” He emphasizes traditional values, believing in marriage before children and wanting to build a family “empire.” He describes himself as preferring home over parties, texting over phone calls, and remains passionate about gaming, swimming, surfing, and Manchester United football. His body features over 20 tattoos with personal meanings.
Recent milestones include the Edo Arena in Benin City being renamed “Rema Dome” in his honour by Governor Obaseki in September 2024. The Oba of Benin also presented him with a royal plaque during his homecoming concert at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, as one of Benin City’s most successful exports.
Net Worth
Financial estimates for Rema from credible sources places his net worth between $15 million and $12 million. His wealth comes from multiple revenue streams.
He’s accumulated over 5.2 billion lifetime streams across platforms, with “Calm Down” alone generating an estimated $3 million in royalties. After label splits, his share from Spotify alone exceeds $7 million. His touring fees have skyrocketed internationally, ranging from $200,000 to $500,000 per show. In July 2024, he reportedly received $3 million for performing at Mukesh Ambani’s son’s wedding in India. His Madison Square Garden show grossed $794,000.
Rema reportedly owns 60% of his publishing rights, with Mavin Records holding the remaining 40%. This gives him substantial control over how his music generates revenue.
His endorsement deals include Jordan Brand, making him the first African artist ambassador in November 2023. He’s also secured partnerships with Spotify as their “Afrobeats Global Ambassador,” Pepsi, Puma, Tommy Hilfiger, OPPO, Coca-Cola, Monster Energy, and Tecno Mobile. The Spotify deal alone was reportedly worth around $2 million, though this hasn’t been officially verified.
Rema’s assets include a Lagos mansion in the Lekki area valued at roughly ₦1 billion. His car collection features a McLaren GTS added in September 2025, a Lamborghini Urus S, a Mercedes-AMG G63, and a Bentley Bentayga. In March 2024, he purchased the G63 and Lamborghini Urus for a combined ₦700 million or more.
