Rema (musician)

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For his eponymous debut EP, see Rema (EP).

Rema
Rema Wiki Photoshoot.jpg
Background information
Birth nameDivine Ikubor
Also known asRemmy boy
Born (2000-05-01) 1 May 2000 (age 21)[1]
Benin City, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2013–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websiteheisrema.com

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 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][12] He released his self-titled debut EP Rema in 2019, which peaked at number 1 on Apple Music Nigeria.[13][14] 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 44 million streams on YouTube.[15]

In May 2021, Rema announced he will be calling his sound "Afrorave", a subgenre of Afrobeats with influences of Arabian and Indian music.[16]

In September 2021 Rema was unveiled as a brand ambassador for the popular soft drink Pepsi alonsgide his label mate Ayra Starr.[17]

Introduction to Mavin Records[]

In December 2018, popular singer Reekado Banks left Mavin Records.[18] Rema was then added to the label. Having Rema on the list was considered a big feat. D'Prince described Rema has 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.[19]

Awards[]

On 19 October 2019, Rema won Next Rated[citation needed] 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[]

Compilation albums[]

  • Rema Compilation (2020)

Extended plays[]

  • Rema (2019)
  • Rema Freestyle (2019)
  • Bad Commando[30] (2019)

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)

Awards and nominations[]

Year Award Category Nominee/Work Result Ref
2021 Net Honours Most Played Pop Song "Woman" Nominated [32]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b ""Wen Rema see di tori, all of us begin laff"". BBC News Pidgin. 1 February 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  2. ^ "My Sound Will Be Called Afrorave – Rema". Independent.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ Augoye, Jayne (22 March 2019). "Don Jazzy signs new artiste to Mavin Global".
  5. ^ Storm, Camille (24 September 2019). "Rema is Nigerian pop's golden child". The FADER.
  6. ^ "Meet Rema, The Kid From Benin With The World At His Feet". The Native. 2 May 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  7. ^ Holmes, Charles (15 May 2020). "How Rema Became Afrobeats' New Superhero". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  8. ^ Holmes, Charles (15 May 2020). "How Rema Became Afrobeats' New Superhero". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  9. ^ Pierre, Alphonse. "Rema Is Leading the Next Generation of Nigerian Pop". Pitchfork. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  10. ^ Akindare, Okunola (21 January 2020). "How D'Prince gave Mavin Records a new lease of life". NET.
  11. ^ Clifford, Igbo. "Rema Biography, Age 18, Family, Early Life, Education, Music, Albums, Net Worth And More". Information Guide Africa.
  12. ^ Mikun, Mack (25 July 2021). "Top 10 Most Sought After New Generation Artists In The Nigeria Music Industry". Froshnaija.com.
  13. ^ "Rema – EP by Rema" – via music.apple.com.
  14. ^ "Top 100: Nigeria". Apple Music.
  15. ^ "See the music video for Rema's "Dumebi"". The NATIVE. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  16. ^ "My brand of music is 'Afrorave', says Rema". The Nation Online.
  17. ^ "Pepsi unveils new ambassadors Ayra Starr and Rema #ForTheLoveOfMusic". Vanguard News. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  18. ^ "Reekado Banks officially announces exit from Mavin Records". Pulse Nigeria. 7 December 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  19. ^ [1]
  20. ^ "Headies Award 2019: Nominees and Winners". Vanguard News. 19 October 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  21. ^ "Here is the complete list of award winners at the Soundcity MVP Awards 2020". Pulse Nigeria. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  22. ^ "Burna Boy, Rema Nominated For BET 2020 Awards". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  23. ^ "Burna Boy, Rema, others nominated for 2020 BET Awards". Punch Newspapers. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  24. ^ BellaNaija.com (15 June 2020). "Burna Boy, Rema, Sho Madjozi Nominated for 2020 BET Awards | See the Full List". BellaNaija. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  25. ^ "Premier League predictions: Lawro v Afrobeat star and Man Utd fan Rema". BBC Sport. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  26. ^ "PDP must explain what happened to my father – Rema | The Nation". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  27. ^ "Explain how my father died – Rema tells PDP". Daily Post Nigeria. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  28. ^ "FIFA 21 soundtrack: Artists, songs & music on new game, reveal date | Goal.com". goal.com. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  29. ^ "Fireboy, Rema feature on FIFA 21 official soundtracks". Punch Newspapers. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  30. ^ ROSS, ALEX ROBERT (4 October 2019). "Listen to Rema's new four-track EP, Bad Commando". The FADER. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  31. ^ "Rema – Dumebi". classicloaded.com. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  32. ^ "Net Honours – The Class of 2021". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
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