Rema: The Phenomenal Rise Of An Afrobeat Superstar

Divine Ikubor, popularly known as, Rema was born on May 1, 2000, in Benin City, Nigeria. He’s a singer, rapper, and songwriter. He’s passion for music started since when he was in his early years, especially during his time in secondary school. He attended Ighile Group of Schools for both his primary and secondary education. Sadly, his dad and older brother passed away, so Rema took on the responsibility of caring for his mom.

He started his music career in churches with Alpha P. In 2018. Rema posted a viral freestyle on Instagram to D’Prince’s track “Gucci Gang”. The post caught the attention of D’Prince who flew him to Lagos to offer a record deal to the young talent.

He gained initial recognition following the release of his 2019 song “Dumebi”. That same year, he signed with D’Prince’s record label, Jonzing World. He received wider recognition for his 2022 single “Calm Down”, which spawned a remix with American singer Selena Gomez that peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and led the United States Afrobeats Songs chart for a record-setting 58 weeks.

His popularity skyrocketed, as he sold out the famous O2 Arena in the UK on November 14, 2023, marking a memorable moment in his career. His performances that night was one for the ages, which caused quite a buzz on social media.

“Calm Down” is still topping charts worldwide, making it the highest-charting African song on Apple Music and Spotify.

Rema made history by becoming the first African artist to perform at the Ballon d’Or Awards, which honors the best football players in the world.

Critics and industry insiders have praised him for his impact on Afrobeat and African music generally, with Rolling Stone calling him an “emblem of Afrobeats global rise.”

Writing for Business Day Anthony Udugba remarked Rema has “expanded the horizons” of African musical impact on the global stage.

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.”

The Native stated “It’s impossible to erase the mark he has left on Afrobeats history.” Victor Okpala said “Rema’s sound has cemented his place as a true musical trailblazer.”

With over 6.7 million followers on Instagram, Rema is a force to be reckoned with in the world of social media. He’s not just a musical sensation; he’s a trailblazer inspiring other African artists to break barriers and reach for the stars.

Read Also: Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ Reaches Almost 1 billion Views On Youtube https://www.instagram.com/gleetz_magazine/