Rema (musician)
Rema | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Divine Ikubor |
| Also known as | Remmy boy |
| Born | 1 May 2000[1] Benin City, Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | |
| Website | heisrema |
Divine Ikubor (born 1 May 2000),[1] known professionally as Rema, is a Nigerian singer and rapper. He rose to prominence with the release of the song "Iron Man", which appeared on Barack Obama's 2019 summer playlist.[3] In 2019, he signed a record deal with Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records.[4]
Early life[]
Divine Ikubor was born into a Christian family in Benin City.[5] He grew up singing and rapping while he was in secondary school. He attained his primary and secondary school education in ighile group of school, Edo State.[6][7]
Career[]
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.[8][9] Rema signed a record deal with D'Prince's[10] Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records, in 2019.[11] He released his self-titled debut EP Rema in 2019, which peaked at number 1 on Apple Music Nigeria.[12][13] On 21 May 2019, Jonzing World, and Mavin's released the music video of "Dumebi", a major breakout song from his self-titled EP, featuring a cameo appearance from Diana Eneje. The video was directed by Ademola Falomo and currently has 50 million views on YouTube.[14]
In May 2021, Rema announced he will be calling his sound "Afrorave", a subgenre of Afrobeats with influences of Arabian and Indian music.[15]
In September 2021 Rema was unveiled as a brand ambassador for the popular soft drink Pepsi alonsgide his label mate Ayra Starr.[16]
Introduction to Mavin Records[]
In December 2018, popular singer Reekado Banks left Mavin Records.[17] Rema was then added to the label. Having Rema on the list was considered a big feat. D'Prince described Rema as a craftsman whose work needed to be heard by the whole world. Rema was discovered by D'Prince and wrote songs for the record for a while until D'Prince introduced the young boy to his brother, Don Jazzy. On 22 March 2019, Rema was announced as the latest addition to Mavin Records where he was referred to as the future of Afrobeats. After Rema signed a record deal with Jonzing World, in 2019, he released his debut EP Rema.[18]
Awards[]
On 19 October 2019, Rhema won Next Rated[19] and was nominated for Viewer's Choice at the 13th edition of The Headies.[20] On 12 January 2020, he received the Soundcity MVP Awards for best new artist.[21] On 15 June 2020, Rema was nominated as Best Viewers Choice: International Act on the 2020 BET Awards. He was nominated on the awards alongside Burna Boy and Wizkid, they were the only Nigerian Artistes nominated for the awards edition of 2020.[22][23][24]
Personal life[]
Rema is a supporter of football club Manchester United F.C.[25]
On 28 September 2020, Rema tweeted accusations against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the death of his father who was a Justice.[26][27]
In culture[]
In September 2020, Rema's songs were included in the FIFA 21 soundtracks.[28][29]
Discography[]
Studio albums[]
- Rave & Roses (2022)
Compilation albums[]
- Rema Compilation (2020)
Extended plays[]
Singles[]
- "Dumebi" (2019)
- "Why" (2019)
- "Dumebi" (2019) [31]
- "Corny" (2019)
- "Boulevard" (2019)
- "American Love" (2019)
- "Spiderman" (2019)
- "Trap Out the Submarine" (2019)
- "Bad Commando" (2019)
- "Lady" (2019)
- "Rewind" (2019)
- "Spaceship Jocelyn" (2019)
- "Dumebi Remix" (featuring Becky G) (2020)
- "Beamer (Bad Boys)" (2020)
- "Rainbow" (2020)
- "Fame" (2020)
- "Ginger Me" (2020)
- "Alien" (2020)
- "Woman" (2020)
- "Peace of Mind" (2020)
- "Bounce" (2021)
- "Soundgasm" (2021)
- "44" (featuring Bad Gyal) (2021)
- "Calm Down" (2022)
Awards and nominations[]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee/Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Most Played Pop Song | "Woman" | Nominated | [32] | |
| African Entertainment Awards USA | Song of the Year | Pending | [33] |
References[]
- ^ a b ""Wen Rema see di tori, all of us begin laff"". BBC News Pidgin. 1 February 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ "My Sound Will Be Called Afrorave – Rema". Independent.
- ^ "Nigerian singer Rema makes Obamas' summer. He also released the hit song Ginger me which has almost hit a million views within a week. playlist". Punch Newspapers. 25 August 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ Augoye, Jayne (22 March 2019). "Don Jazzy signs new artiste to Mavin Global".
- ^ Storm, Camille (24 September 2019). "Rema is Nigerian pop's golden child". The FADER.
- ^ "Meet Rema, The Kid From Benin With The World At His Feet". The Native. 2 May 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- ^ Holmes, Charles (15 May 2020). "How Rhema Became Afrobeats' New Superhero". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ Holmes, Charles (15 May 2020). "How Rema Became Afrobeats' New Superhero". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ Pierre, Alphonse. "Rema Is Leading the Next Generation of Nigerian Pop". Pitchfork. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ Akindare, Okunola (21 January 2020). "How D'Prince gave Mavin Records a new lease of life". NET.
- ^ Mikun, Mack (25 July 2021). "Top 10 Most Sought After New Generation Artists In The Nigeria Music Industry". Froshnaija.com.
- ^ "Rema – EP by Rema" – via music.apple.com.
- ^ "Top 100: Nigeria". Apple Music.
- ^ "See the music video for Rema's "Dumebi"". The NATIVE. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
- ^ "My brand of music is 'Afrorave', says Rema". The Nation Online.
- ^ "Pepsi unveils new ambassadors Ayra Starr and Rema #ForTheLoveOfMusic". Vanguard News. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ "Reekado Banks officially announces exit from Mavin Records". Pulse Nigeria. 7 December 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ @heisrema (20 June 2019). "Number 1 Album on @AppleMusic Nigeria in Less than 7 hours #Rema-freestyle EP #latepost