“(My sound) is hard to Explain,it’s simply Freedom and just Enjoying what I’m doing in the Studio”
Rema
By Daniel Eddy
Divine Ikubor known to millions of music fans around the World as Rema, is unarguably one of the biggest African Artiste right now. Be it streams or Ticket sales from Concert,Rema has announced himself as A Big Dog in the Music industry.
Hailing from the Anicient City of Benin,Edo state,Rema’s passion and love for Music has been a Pushing factor all throughout his Career.Rema started Music in the church.At one point he was teaching younger kids in his church how to rap.
In 2008 Tragic struck in the Ikubor Family.Rema lost his Father,Justice Ikubor. It was a really big blow to His Family.It thrust them into Financial Difficulties.Another Tragic event was yet to come Seven years later when he lost his Elder brother.Things became even harder for the Ikubor Family Financially.Rema had to stand up for his family.Becoming a Man when he was just a child,He knew his family depended on him.
I would say I grew up way too early and you know, I was forced to abort my childhood. I know I’m still young. But I’d say, in my early youth, I didn’t really enjoy it.
Rema
His mother and his 2 sisters needed him so he just had to look for a way.He left Nigeria at age 17 to Ghana,picking up lots of menial jobs in order to sustain himself and provide for his Family.
After a Year of dong lots of menial jobs in Ghana in order to provide for his family Rema decided to move back to Nigeria.
Once back in Nigeria,Rema Completely focused on His Music,dropping freestyles on the internet gathering a couple of fans.His freestyle videos cannot be forgotten by his early fans. He would always record himself in a car,playing a beat from the stereos,mostly rapping or trapping.The first time I heard One of those freestyles I was so impressed.Everything was just on point,his Flow,lyrics and delivery.
From there You could easily tell Rema would go far.I’d always get stuck up watching his freestyle videos,because they were so good.I KNEW HE HAD SOMETHING SPECIAL.
Making those freestyles was the best thing Rema did for himself.In 2018 he posted a Freestyle Video to D’Prince’s track “Gucci Gang”,it went viral and caught the attention of D’Prince who Signed him to His Record Label JONZING World,a subsidiary of Mavins Record.
On 21 May 2019,Rema Released “Dumebi”,a song that turned out to be a Viral Craze. Dumebi was everywhere on the internet in several countries.it was the song that really introduced Rema to Mainstream Audience. Dumebi went Viral in several countries and has amassed 64 Million Views on Youtube.From the way Rema carried himself in the Music Video you could tell he was a Natural Performer.Dumebi was part of His first Project,his self titled EP “REMA”.
He went on to Release his “Freestyle EP”,and in that same year Barack Obama Listed Rema’s single “Iron Man”, in his Summer Playlist.
He would go on to win the Next Rated Artist at the 13th Edition of THE HEADIES.In 2020 he won the Soundcity MVP Awards for Best New Artist.
On 20 October 2020,,The Nigerian Military opened fire on peaceful Youth protesters who were protesting against Police Brutality. It was a time of hurt,pain and mourning in the Country. It is one of the darkest period in Nigeria History.
During this Dark time,Rema released“Peace of Mind”, It was a song that expressed the Hurt,pain and Frustration of every Nigerian during that time. “……..This pain,this pain,this pain nor be only my pain,many people pain join my pain,many people pain Dey run in my vein…” just shows Rema’s ability to connect with THE People. At that period people were looking for ways to deal with their anger and that song was one of it. It became an Anthem for The period.
Rema’s international recognition came almost instantly and since then he has cemented himself in the Top Percentage of African Artistes in The World. Solidifying his legacy with banger after banger every year,Rema has Etched his Name with Gold in the Music Industry. His song Calm down,released in 2021 is his biggest to date.It has been viewed 247 Million Times on YouTube. It was so big that Selena Gomez had to jump on the remix,giving it further attention and debuting in the US Billboard Hot 100 at no 91.
There have been comparisons of Rema to Arguably the biggest African Artiste in the world Wizkid,while those comparisons should be taken as compliments,You can just tell Rema is different,his style,his Artistry,and he even defines his own Style of Music as “Afrowave”,a genre he created.
Rema’s sound is so unique.His sound is like a combination of elements from different genres.Listening to his songs you can feel a bit of Indian classical,arabian and Latina Music elements. Though Rema has specifically stated he doesn’t intentionally pick elements from other Genre,He just creates his own music.His Versatility is so impressive,having one of the most diverse Body of work amongst all the Top African Artistes.
In his Hometown of Benin City,Edo State,One of the oldest cities in Africa,Rema Is Held as a Hero.Adored by Many,especially the Girls,Rema is “Very” highly Regarded.To the people there Rema is held at the same level as Wizkid and Davido.Though those two names pull in more numbers than Rema,in Edo State there’s just this feeling of “Our Own” when it comes to Rema. They Really,Really Love Him!!!
Rema’s rise to Superstardom from Benin City,Edo State,a part of the country not known for producing Global Music superstars is all the more impressive.He is without doubt the biggest Artiste to come from Edo state and the Southside in General.
His debut Album Rave and Roses released in 2022 showed how far Rema has come over the years.Collaborating with Chris brown,6lack,And AJ tracey amongst others.Rave and Roses is a Beautiful piece and lets us know that Rema is gonna be at this level for a Very long time.
At only just 22,Rema really has the Music World at his feet and could possibly go on to become The Biggest African Artiste Of all time.
He truly is Divine.
The Music Fanatics 
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