Rema (musician)
Rema | |
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File:Rema Wiki Photoshoot.jpg | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Divine Ikubor |
Also known as | Rema |
Born | 1 May 2000 |
Origin | Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria |
Genres | |
Occupations |
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Instruments |
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Years active | 2015 – present |
Labels | |
Website | officialremamusic |
Divine Ikubor (born 1 May 2000),[2] known professionally as Rema, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and rapper. In 2019, he signed a record deal with Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records.[3] He rose to prominence with the release of the song "Iron Man", which appeared on Barack Obama's 2019 summer playlist.[4]
Early life
Divine Ikubor was born into a Christian family in Benin City, Edo State.[5] Rema grew up singing and rapping while in secondary school. He attained his primary and secondary school education in Edo State.[6]
Musical 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.[7][8] Rema signed a record deal with D'Prince's[9] Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records in 2019.[10][11] He released his eponymous debut EP Rema in 2019. It peaked at number 1 on Apple Music Nigeria.[12][13]
In May 2021, Rema announced he will be calling his sound "Afrorave", a subgenre of Afrobeats with influences of Arabian and Indian music.[1][14]
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.[15] On 12 January 2020, he received the Soundcity MVP Awards for best new artist.[16] 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.[17][18][19]
Controversy
On September 28, 2020, Rema tweeted accusations against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the death of his father who was a Justice.[20][21]
In Culture
In September 2020, Rema's songs were included in the FIFA 21 soundtracks.[22][23]
Introduction to Mavin Records
In December 2018, popular singer, Reekado Banks left Mavin Records.[24] Rema was then added to the well-respected label. Mavin Records can boast of many other popular artistes such as Tiwa Savage (who later left), Korede Bello, Di'Ja, Dr SID, D’Prince, Ladipoe, and Johnny Drille. Having Rema on the list was indeed 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 the 22nd of March, 2019, Rema was announced as the latest addition to Mavin Records where he was referred to as the future of Afrobeats. Although, fingers are crossed, considering that it's too early to be sure how far he can go since he is new into the industry and is a young talent. After Rema signed a record deal with Jonzing World, in 2019, he released his debut EP Rema. As is expected of Mavins Records, the record label promoted Rema's music well and the song peaked at Number 1 on Apple Music Nigeria.[25]
Personal life
Rema is a supporter of Manchester United F.C.[26]
Discography
Compilation albums
- Rema Compilation (2020)
Extended plays
- Rema (2019)
- Rema Freestyle (2019)
- Bad Commando[27] (2019)
Singles
- "Iron Man" (2019)
- "Why" (2019)
- "Dumebi" (2019) [28]
- "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)[29]
See also
References
- ^ a b "My Sound Will Be Called Afrorave – Rema". Independent.
- ^ ""Wen Rema see di tori, all of us begin laff"". BBC News Pidgin. 1 February 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ Augoye, Jayne (22 March 2019). "Don Jazzy signs new artiste to Mavin Global".
- ^ "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. Retrieved 2020-02-23.
- ^ 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. 2019-05-02. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Clifford, Igbo. "Rema Biography, Age 18, Family, Early Life, Education, Music, Albums, Net Worth And More". Information Guide Africa.
- ^ Mikun, Mack. "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.
- ^ "My brand of music is 'Afrorave', says Rema". The Nation Online.
- ^ "Headies Award 2019: Nominees and Winners". Vanguard News. 2019-10-19. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
- ^ "Here is the complete list of award winners at the Soundcity MVP Awards 2020". Pulse Nigeria. 2020-01-12. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
- ^ "Burna Boy, Rema Nominated For BET 2020 Awards". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2020-06-15. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
- ^ "Burna Boy, Rema, others nominated for 2020 BET Awards". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
- ^ BellaNaija.com (2020-06-15). "Burna Boy, Rema, Sho Madjozi Nominated for 2020 BET Awards | See the Full List". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
- ^ "PDP must explain what happened to my father - Rema | The Nation". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 2020-09-28. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
- ^ "Explain how my father died - Rema tells PDP". Daily Post Nigeria. 2020-09-28. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
- ^ "FIFA 21 soundtrack: Artists, songs & music on new game, reveal date | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
- ^ "Fireboy, Rema feature on FIFA 21 official soundtracks". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
- ^ "Reekado Banks officially announces exit from Mavin Records". Pulse Nigeria. 2018-12-07. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Premier League predictions: Lawro v Afrobeat star and Man Utd fan Rema". BBC Sport. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ ROSS, ALEX ROBERT (4 October 2019). "Listen to Rema's new four-track EP, Bad Commando". The FADER. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- ^ "Rema – Dumebi". classicloaded.com. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ "Rema – Soundgasm". Retrieved 2021-06-16.