Rema | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Divine Ikubor |
Born | [1] Benin City, Edo, Nigeria | May 1, 2000
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
|
Years active | 2018–present |
Labels | |
Website | heisrema |
YouTube information | |
Channel | |
Subscribers | 4.02 million [2] |
Total views | 1.381 billion [2] |
Last updated: 7 March 2024 |
Divine Ikubor (born May 1, 2000), known professionally as Rema, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, and songwriter. He gained initial recognition with his 2019 song "Dumebi". That same year, he signed with D'Prince's record label, Jonzing World. [3] He achieved wider recognition with his 2022 single "Calm Down", which spawned a remix with Selena Gomez that peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. [4] The song also led Bilboard Afrobeats Songs chart for a record-setting 58 weeks. [5]
Divine Ikubor was born into a Christian family in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. [6] He discovered his passion for music during his secondary school days at Ighile Group of Schools in Edo State, where he began singing and rapping. [7] After losing his father and elder brother, Rema was raised by his mother, who played a significant role in shaping his life. [1]
Rema started his music career performing in churches with his collaborator Alpha P. in 2018. He gained recognition after posting a viral freestyle on Instagram to D'Prince's song "Gucci Gang". Impressed by his talent, D'Prince flew him to Lagos and offered him a record deal with Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records owned by music executive and producer Don Jazzy. [8] [9] In 2019, Rema released his self-titled debut EP Rema , which topped Apple Music's Nigerian charts. [10] [11] The music video for "Dumebi", a breakout song from the EP, was released on May 21, 2019, featuring a cameo appearance from Diana Eneje and has since gained 75 million views on YouTube. [12] Later that summer, another popular song from the EP was featured on former United States President Barack Obama's annual summer playlist. [7] In September 2020, Rema's songs were included on the FIFA 21 official soundtrack. [13] [14] In September 2021, he was unveiled as a brand ambassador for Pepsi, alongside his label mate Ayra Starr. [15]
Toya Delazy, a South African music producer and artist, originated the genre "Afrorave" in 2019, combining elements of garage, Zulu lyrics, and other African styles. [16] [17] In May 2021, Rema adopted the term "Afrorave" to describe his own music, which blends Afrobeats with Arabian and Indian influences. This distinct sound has resonated with fans, earning him a dedicated fanbase known as Ravers. [18] [19]
After releasing three EPs, Rema debuted his first album, Rave & Roses , on March 25, 2022, under Jonzing World. [20] The album features 16 tracks, including collaborations with 6lack, Chris Brown, AJ Tracey, and Yseult. [21] It charted 10 songs on the US Billboard Afrobeats Chart in its debut week. [22] The single "Calm Down" gained international recognition after a remix with Selena Gomez, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and breaking multiple records. [23] [24] [25] [26] Rema received various awards, including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Afrobeats Video and the Billboard Music Award for Top Afrobeats Song and many other awards. [27] [28] [29] On November 7, 2022, he was awarded for achieving 1 billion streams worldwide during his London concert. [30] In February 2023, he won the Digital Artist of the Year award at the Soundcity MVP Awards held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos. [31] In April 2023, he released Rave & Roses Ultra, which became the first African album to cross two billion streams on Spotify. [32] On October 26, 2023, Rema released the Ravage EP, [33] and on October 30, 2023, he performed at the Ballon d'Or ceremony held Theatre du Châtelet in Paris, France. [34]
On 28 September 2020, Rema tweeted accusations against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding their involvement in the death of his father, Justice Ikubor, a former chieftain of the party. [35] [36] Although Rema gained admission to study at the University of Lagos in 2022, he was forced to leave the institution in 2023 due to the ongoing ASUU teaching union strike. [37] [38]
Rolling Stone said "Rema has undoubtedly and proudly become an emblem of Afrobeats global rise." [39] Writing for Business Day Anthony Udugba remarked Rema has "expanded the horizons" of African musical impact on the global stage. [40] The Guardian Nigeria opined "As the Afrobeats landscape continues to flourish, Rema’s success sets a high standard, showcasing the global appeal and dominance of Nigerian music on the international stage." [41] The Native stated "It’s impossible to erase the mark he has left on Afrobeats history." [42] Victor Okpala said "Rema’s sound has cemented his place as a true musical trailblazer." [43] Many critics have praised him for breaking barriers and inspiring other African music artists. [44] [45] [46]
Year | Award | Category | Nominee/Work | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | The Headies | Song of the Year | "Dumebi" | Nominated | [47] |
Viewer's Choice | Himself | Nominated | |||
Next Rated | Won | ||||
City People Music Awards | Most Promising Act of the Year | Nominated | [48] [49] | ||
Revelation of the Year | Won | ||||
Best New Act of the Year | Nominated | ||||
2020 | BET Awards | Best New International Act | Nominated | [50] | |
The Future Awards Africa | Young Person of the Year | Nominated | [51] [52] | ||
Music | Won | ||||
MTV Europe Music Award | Best African Act | Nominated | [53] | ||
2021 | MTV Africa Music Awards | Best Male | Pending | [54] | |
The Headies | Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year | Nominated | [55] | ||
Best Pop Single | "Lady" | Nominated | |||
Net Honours | Most Played Pop Song | "Woman" | Nominated | [56] | |
African Entertainment Awards USA | Song of the Year | Nominated | [57] | ||
Edison Award | Edison Jazz/World – World | Rema Compilation | Nominated | [58] | |
2022 | Odeón Awards 2022 | Best urban song | "44" (with Bad Gyal) | Nominated | [59] |
2023 | Soundcity MVP Awards | Digital Artist of the Year | Himself | Won | [60] |
The Headies | Best Male Artist | Himself | Won | [61] | |
African Artist of the Year | Won | ||||
Digital Artist of the Year | Won | ||||
Album of the Year | "Rave and Roses" | Nominated | |||
Song of the Year | "Calm Down" | Nominated | |||
MTV Video Music Awards | Best Afrobeats | "Calm Down (Remix)" (featuring Selena Gomez) | Won | [62] [63] | |
Best Collaboration | Nominated | ||||
Song of the Year | Nominated | ||||
AFRIMMA | Crossing Boundaries with Music Award | Himself | Won | [64] | |
Artist of the Year | Himself | Won | |||
Trace Awards | Song of the Year | "Calm Down (Remix)" (featuring Selena Gomez) | Won | [65] | |
Best Global African Artist | Himself | Won | |||
Best Male Artist | Himself | Nominated | |||
BreakTudo Awards | International Rising Artist | Himself | Pending | [66] |
American singer Selena Gomez has released three solo studio albums, one compilation album, three extended plays (EPs), 36 singles, 3 promotional singles and 2 charity singles. Gomez has sold 6.7 million albums worldwide by October 2015. As of August 2023, she has sold 3.6 million albums in the United States, and shifted more than 11.5 million album equivalent units, including her releases with The Scene. As of May 2017, she has sold 24.3 million songs in the U.S. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), she has achieved 47 million certified units, and a further 18 million as part of Selena Gomez & the Scene, in the U.S. She has a total of 41 chart entries on the US Billboard Hot 100, including a number one and nine top-ten songs.
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Rema is the debut eponymous extended play by Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter Rema. It was released on 22 March 2019 by Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavins Record.
Michael Adebayo Olayinka, known professionally as Ruger is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and musician. He rose to fame with the release of his song "Bounce", which led him to sign a recording deal with Jonzing World, in 2021. That same year, he released his debut extended play, Pandemic. In 2024, he exit Jonzing World to start his own imprint, called 'Blown Boy Entertainment'.
Rave & Roses is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Rema. It was released on 25 March 2022 via Jonzing World and Mavin Records. The album included guest appearances from 6lack, Chris Brown, AJ Tracey, and Yseult. The deluxe version of the album was released on 28 April 2023, renamed as Rave & Roses Ultra.
"Calm Down" is a song by Nigerian singer Rema, from his debut studio album Rave & Roses (2022). It was released on 11 February 2022 through Jonzing World and Mavin as the album's second single. The song charted across Europe, reaching number one on the Belgian Ultratop 50, Dutch Top 40 and Dutch Single Top 100. In the United Kingdom, "Calm Down" peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart and spent 27 non-consecutive weeks in the top ten of the chart.
Michael Ovie Hunter, known professionally as London, is a Nigerian-British record producer and DJ. He is best known for producing the 2022 hit single, "Calm Down" for Rema and Selena Gomez. It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100, peaked atop the IMI International and remains the most internationally successful Afrobeats song.
The discography of Rema, a Nigerian Afrobeats singer, consists of one studio albums, four EP, thirty singles, and 14 music videos. Rema started his music career at age 18. He signed with D'Prince's Jonzing World, an imprint of Don Jazzy's Mavin Records in 2019. His self-titled debut extended play was released in August of that year and peaked atop the Apple Music Nigeria charts.
Ravage is the fourth EP by Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter Rema released on October 27, 2023, through Virgin Music, Mavin Records, and Jonzing World. Like his previous project, Rave & Roses (2022), the EP blends various genres, including alté, afrobeats, and afropop. Lyrically, it explores themes of hard work, pride, and diligence.