Rema | |
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Born | Divine Ikubor 1 May 2000 [1] Benin city, Edo, Nigeria |
Other names | |
Citizenship | Nigerian |
Occupations |
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Years active | 2019–present |
Works | Discography |
Awards | Full list |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instruments |
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Labels | |
YouTube information | |
Channel | |
Years active | 2017–present |
Genres |
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Subscribers | 4.5 million [5] |
Total views | 1.828 billion [5] |
Last updated: 1 November 2024 | |
Website | heisrema |
Divine Ikubor (born 1 May 2000), popularly known as Rema, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and rapper. He gained initial recognition with his 2019 song "Dumebi". That same year, he signed with D'Prince's record label, Jonzing World. [6] He achieved international recognition with his 2022 single "Calm Down", which spawned a remix with American singer Selena Gomez that peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. [7] The song also led Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart for a record-setting 58 weeks. [8] [9]
"Calm Down" emerged from Rema's debut studio album, Rave & Roses (2022), which peaked at number 81 on the Billboard 200. [10] [11] His fourth commercial EP, Ravage , was released in 2023. His second album, Heis (2024), was supported by the single "Benin Boys" (with Shallipopi). [12] The album received a nomination for Best Global Music Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, earning Rema his first career nomination at the Grammys. [13] [14]
Divine Ikubor was born into a Christian family in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. [15] 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. [16] 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 2019. 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. [17] [18] In 2019, Rema released his self-titled debut EP Rema , which topped Apple Music's Nigerian charts. [19] [20] The music video for "Dumebi", a breakout song from the EP, was released on 21 May 2019, featuring a cameo appearance from Diana Eneje and has since gained 75 million views on YouTube. [21] Later that summer, another popular song from the EP was featured on former United States President Barack Obama's annual summer playlist. [16] In September 2020, Rema's songs were included on the FIFA 21 official soundtrack. [22] [23] In September 2021, he was unveiled as a brand ambassador for Pepsi, alongside his label mate Ayra Starr. [24]
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. [25] [26] 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. [27] [28]
After releasing three EPs, Rema debuted his first album, Rave & Roses , on 25 March 2022, under Jonzing World. [29] The album features 16 tracks, including collaborations with 6lack, Chris Brown, AJ Tracey, and Yseult. [30] It charted 10 songs on the US Billboard Afrobeats Chart in its debut week. [31] The single "Calm Down" gained international recognition, it reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 after a remix with Selena Gomez, breaking multiple records. [32] [33] [34] [35] 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. [36] [37] [38] On 7 November 2022, he was awarded for achieving 1 billion streams worldwide during his London concert. [39] 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. [40] In April 2023, he released Rave & Roses Ultra, which became the first African album to cross two billion streams on Spotify. [41] On 26 October 2023, Rema released the Ravage EP, [42] and on 30 October 2023, he performed at the Ballon d'Or ceremony held Theatre du Châtelet in Paris, France. [43]
2024: Second Studio Album; HEIS
On the 11th of July 2024, Rema released his second studio album titled HEIS. The title of the album is said to be derived from the greek word for "numeral 1". The album consists of 11 songs and features popular Nigerian artists such as ODUMODUBLVCK on the song 'War Machine' and Shallipopi on the song 'Benin Boys'. [44]
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. [45] [46] 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. [47] [48]
Rolling Stone said "Rema has undoubtedly and proudly become an emblem of Afrobeats global rise." [49] Writing for Business Day Anthony Udugba remarked Rema has "expanded the horizons" of African musical impact on the global stage. [50] 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." [51] The Native stated "It’s impossible to erase the mark he has left on Afrobeats history." [52] Victor Okpala said "Rema’s sound has cemented his place as a true musical trailblazer." [53] Many critics have praised him for breaking barriers and inspiring other African music artists. [54] [55] [56]
Year | Award | Category | Nominee/Work | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | The Headies | Song of the Year | "Dumebi" | Nominated | [58] |
Viewer's Choice | Himself | Nominated | |||
Next Rated | Won | ||||
City People Music Awards | Most Promising Act of the Year | Nominated | [59] [60] | ||
Revelation of the Year | Won | ||||
Best New Act of the Year | Nominated | ||||
2020 | BET Awards | Best New International Act | Nominated | [61] | |
The Future Awards Africa | Young Person of the Year | Nominated | [62] [63] | ||
Music | Won | ||||
MTV Europe Music Award | Best African Act | Nominated | [64] | ||
2021 | MTV Africa Music Awards | Best Male | Pending | [65] | |
The Headies | Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year | Nominated | [66] | ||
Best Pop Single | "Lady" | Nominated | |||
Net Honours | Most Played Pop Song | "Woman" | Nominated | [67] | |
African Entertainment Awards USA | Song of the Year | Nominated | [68] | ||
Edison Award | Edison Jazz/World – World | Rema Compilation | Nominated | [69] | |
2022 | Odeón Awards 2022 | Best urban song | "44" (with Bad Gyal) | Nominated | [70] |
2023 | Soundcity MVP Awards | Digital Artist of the Year | Himself | Won | [71] |
The Headies | Best Male Artist | Himself | Won | [72] | |
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 | [72] [73] | |
Best Collaboration | Nominated | ||||
Song of the Year | Nominated | ||||
Best Afrobeats Video | Nominated | [ citation needed ] | |||
AFRIMMA | Crossing Boundaries with Music Award | Himself | Won | [74] | |
Artist of the Year | Himself | Won | |||
Trace Awards | Song of the Year | "Calm Down (Remix)" (featuring Selena Gomez) | Won | [75] | |
Best Global African Artist | Himself | Won | |||
Best Male Artist | Himself | Nominated | [ citation needed ] | ||
BreakTudo Awards | International Rising Artist | Himself | Pending | [76] | |
MTV Europe Music Awards | Best Afrobeats | "Calm Down (Remix)" (featuring Selena Gomez) | Won | [ citation needed ] | |
Best Song | Nominated | [ citation needed ] | |||
Billboard Music Awards | Top Afrobeats Song | "Calm Down (Remix)" (featuring Selena Gomez) | Won | [ citation needed ] | |
Top Afrobeats Artist | Himself | Nominated | [ citation needed ] | ||
Top Collaboration | "Calm Down (Remix)" (featuring Selena Gomez) | Nominated | [ citation needed ] | ||
Top Global 200 Song | "Calm Down (Remix)" (featuring Selena Gomez) | Nominated | [ citation needed ] | ||
iHeartRadio Music Awards | Best Music Video | "Calm Down (Remix)" (featuring Selena Gomez) | Nominated | ||
2024 | Brit Awards | International Song of The Year | "Calm Down (Remix)" (featuring Selena Gomez) | Nominated | |
iHeartRadio Music Awards | Best Collaboration | "Calm Down (Remix)" (featuring Selena Gomez) | Won | ||
Song of The Year | Nominated | ||||
Pop Song of The Year | Nominated | ||||
Best New Pop Artist | Himself | Nominated | |||
Afrobeats Artist of The Year |
American singer Selena Gomez has released three solo studio albums, one compilation album, three extended plays (EPs), 36 singles, three promotional singles, and two 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 47.5 million certified units, and a further 19.5 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.
Mavin Records is a Nigerian corporation and record label founded by record producer and recording artist Don Jazzy on 8 May 2012. The label's inception came to fruition following the closure of Mo' Hits Records, a record label Don Jazzy and D'banj. The label is home to recording artists such as Rema, Ayra Starr, Crayon, Johnny Drille, Ladipoe, Magixx, Boy Spyce, Bayanni, and Lifesize Teddy. It also houses producers such as Don Jazzy, Altims, London, Baby Fresh, and Andre Vibez. In 2014, DJ Big N became the label's official disc jockey. Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, Reekado Banks and Iyanya were all formerly signed to the label. On 8 May 2012, the label released its compilation album Solar Plexus. In January 2019, Mavin Records secured a multi-million dollars investment from Kupanda Holdings, a subsidiary of Kupanda Capital and TPG Growth.
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Charles Enebeli, better known by his stage name D'Prince, is a Nigerian Afropop recording artist, and entrepreneur. He founded the entertainment company and record label Jonzing World in 2019, through which he has signed singer Rema.
Afrobeats, not to be confused with Afrobeat or Afroswing, is an umbrella term to describe popular music from West Africa and the diaspora that initially developed in Nigeria, Ghana, and the UK in the 2000s and 2010s. Afrobeats is less of a style per se, and more of a descriptor for the fusion of sounds flowing out of Nigeria and Ghana. Genres such as hiplife, jùjú music, highlife, azonto music, and naija beats, among others, were amalgamated under the "Afrobeats" umbrella.
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Jonzing World is a Nigerian record label and management company which was founded by a recording artist D'Prince on 22 March 2019. Jonzing services includes music recording, merchandising, audiovisual content, branding, and management. The label currently houses artists like Rema, Gdzilla, Glorious and Bagetti. Artists formerly signed to the label, include Ruger.
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Rema is the eponymous debut extended play by Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter Rema. It was released on 22 March 2019 by Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records.
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 Thisizlondon, is a Nigerian-British record producer and DJ. He is best known for producing the fire 2022 hit single, "Calm Down" for Rema before Selena Gomez hopped on the remix. It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100, peaked atop the IMI International and remains the most internationally successful Afrobeats song.
Pandemic is the debut EP by Nigerian singer Ruger. It was released on 12 March 2021, through Jonzing World and Sony Music UK, and features no guest appearances. Production was handled by Kukbeatz.
The discography of Rema, a Nigerian Afrobeats singer, consists of two 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 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.
Heis is the second studio album by Nigerian rapper and singer-songwriter Rema. It was released through Mavin Records, Jonzing World, and Interscope Records on 10 July 2024. The album features guest appearances from Shallipopi and Odumodublvck. It serves as the follow-up to his previous album, Rave & Roses (2022). The album received a nomination for Best Global Music Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, earning Rema his first career nomination at the Grammys.