Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and rapper from Benin City, Edo State. He rose from humble beginnings and family tragedy to become a global sensation with his record-breaking hit ‘Calm Down.’
This article explores rema biography, childhood, net worth, career struggles, achievements, and personal life. Read and Enjoy
| Full Name | Divine Ikubor |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Rema |
| Date of Birth | May 1, 2000 |
| Age | 25 years |
| State of Origin | Edo State |
| Height | 5ft 8 in (173 cm) tall |
| Weight | ~70 kg |
| Siblings | 3 |
| Profession | Singer, Rapper, Songwriter |
| Record Label | Jonzing World, Mavin Records, Virgin Music |
| Marital Status | Single |
Rema’s Biography and Age
Rema whose real name is Divine Ikubor, was born on May 1, 2000, in Benin City. He is 25 years old as of 2025.
Raised by his mom in Edo, he began singing in churches and even formed a rap group called RNA with his childhood friend, Alpha P.
Parents & Family Background
He lost his father and his elder brother at a young age and was raised primarily by his Christian mother.
His father, Justice Ikubor, was a high-ranking PDP politician and chieftain who was found dead in a hotel in Benin City under suspicious circumstances, leaving the family in hardship.
Rema has three siblings but lost his elder brother to medical complications. Details about his two sisters remain private, though he has occasionally referenced them in interviews.
He has occasionally spoken about the impact of losing his father, describing it as a defining moment in his life.
Education
He attained his primary and secondary education at Ighile Group of Schools Benin City.
In 2021, he was admitted to the University of Lagos to study Creative Arts. However, due to his career and constant touring, his studies have been intermittent.
Early Struggles & Life in Ghana
After his father’s death, he worked odd jobs to support his family. He revealed in past interviews that he even worked as a motorcycle mechanic.
At one point, he relocated to Ghana, hustling to survive and send money back home.
This period shaped his resilience and explains his later hunger for success as he would buy his mum a Lexus RX 350 in 2017 after returning from Ghana.
Music Career
He developed interest in music in his early, he started singing in churches and even formed a rap group called RNA with his childhood friend, Alpha P.
As he grew into a teenager, he began uploading Instagram freestyles. One of them — a freestyle to D’Prince’s “Gucci Gang” — went viral and caught the attention of D’Prince’s and Don Jazzy.
This led to his signing with Jonzing World, under the Mavin Records umbrella.
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His debut single “Dumebi” became a viral hit in 2019, introducing him as one of Afrobeats’ brightest newcomers.
The same year, his track “Iron Man” was included in former U.S. President Barack Obama’s summer playlist, boosting his international credibility.
Rise to Fame
- 2019: Released three EPs (Rema, Freestyle, Bad Commando) that solidified his style.
- 2020–2021: Continued to grow with singles that appealed to Gen-Z audiences.
- 2022: Released his debut album Rave & Roses.
- 2023–2024: Dropped Calm Down (Remix) with Selena Gomez which entered the Billboard Hot 100, crossed 1B Spotify streams, and became the most-viewed Afrobeats music video.
- 2025: Continues touring globally and dropping new music
Rema’s Net Worth
As of 2025, Rema’s net worth is estimated at $12 million which over ₦18 billion Naira, making him the richest nigerian musician under 25 years. His earnings are powered by global streaming dominance, endorsements, and high-grossing concerts.
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Source of Income
1) Music & Streaming
Rema is one of Africa’s biggest streaming superstars. His catalog continues to break records across Spotify, YouTube, and Boomplay and Apple Music.
- By 2025, his catalog has crossed 5.2B total streams on Spotify
- His music videos, including Calm Down, Charm, Dumebi, and Benin Boys, have collectively surpassed hundreds of millions of views, contributing millions to his income.
2) Concerts & Tours
Rema’s HEIS Tour has taken him from North America to Europe, with reported grosses in the high six figures per show.
- In May 2025, his Madison Square Garden concert grossed about $794K, one of the highest for an Afrobeats singer.
- He has sold out the 02 Arena in London, Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and the 20,000-capacity Accor Arena in Paris grossing millions of dollars in earnings.
3) Endorsements Deals
His global reach has made him a top chioce for brands.
- He has served as an ambassador for Pepsi, one of his earliest high-profile deals.
- Endorsement deals with Monster Energy, Afripower, including fashion brands like Nike and Jordan
Assets & Lifestyle
The singer has invested in real estate and cars, reflecting his new wealth.
Houses
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
| Lagos | Luxury mansion |
| Edo State | Renovated family home |
Cars
The singer owns several luxury vehicles including:
- Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon
- Lamborghini Huracan
- BMW M4
- Range Rover Velar
- McLaren GTS
Achievements & Awards
Rema has acheived great milestones in his short career span:
- His song Calm Down, became the first African artist-led track to cross 1B streams on Spotify.
- He has won Multiple Headies and Soundcity MVP Awards.
- BET Award nomination in 2025
- Winner of MTV Europe Music Award (EMA) for Best African Act.
- Regular headliner at major festivals like Wireless, Afro Nation, Dreamville Festival and Global Citizen Festival.
Philanthropy
Rema has quietly supported his community through charity concerts, scholarships, church donations and youth empowerment in Edo and Lagos. He famously donated 105 million to Christ Embassy in 2024 in appreciation for the church’s assitance to family during a challenging time after his father’s death.
In Comparison With Other Musicians
Rema is the richest Afrobeats artist under 25 but how does he compare to others?
- Rema vs Asake: Rema is richer than Asake who has a net worth of around $10.5M.
- Rema vs Shallipopi: Rema fortune sits well above Shallipopi’s net worth of $1.2M.
| Artist | Net Worth | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wizkid | $85M | Global hits, decade of tours, endorsements (See Wizkid earnings) |
| Rema | $12M | streaming success, touring, endorsements |
| Asake | $5M | Arena shows, rising catalog |
| Shallipopi | $ 500k – $1.2M | Rising star, smaller catalog |
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Quick Facts Aabout Rema
Does Rema have a girlfriend?
As of 2025, Rema is single and has not publicly confirmed any relationship
What happened to Rema’s father?
His father, Justice Ikubor, was found dead at Precious Palm Royal hotel in Benin City under mysterious circumstances. He continues to seek justice for his father.
Did Rema steal his friend’s laptop?
Yes, Rema stole his friend Eric’s laptop in 2017. He confessed and apologized stating that he did it in order to fend for his pregnant mom.
Which university did he attend?
He gained admission into the University of Lagos in 2021 to study Creative Arts but has been unable to focus on school due to his music.
What is Rema’s net worth in naira?
Rema’s net worth in naria is estimated at ₦18 billion in 2025.
How does Rema make his money?
Through streaming royalties, concerts, endorsements, and business ventures.
How much did Rema earn from Calm Down?
With 1.5B YouTube views and 1B Spotify streams, the track generated over $3M+ in royalties and counting.
How much does Rema charge for a show?
His show fee varies widely depending on location, audience, and demand — from roughly $150,000-$300,000 for mid-level shows to $1 million (or more) for high-profile international performances. His highest known public fee is about $3 million for a single show.
