Rema Biography: Age, Height, Parents, Career & Personal Life

Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, is a Nigerian singer, Song writer 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’s biography, age, height, parents, education, career struggles, achievements, and personal life. Read and Enjoy

For his financial profile, see our article on Rema’s Net Worth.

Early Life 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.

Rema has occasionally spoken about the impact of losing his father, describing it as a defining moment in his life.

Education

Rema 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, Rema 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

Rema 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, Rema 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 debut album Rave & Roses.
• 2023–2024: Calm Down (Remix) with Selena Gomez entered the Billboard Hot 100, crossed 1B Spotify streams, and became the most-viewed Afrobeats video on YouTube.
• 2025: Continues touring arenas globally, from London to New York, positioning him as Afrobeats’ biggest Gen-Z export.

Achievements & Awards

Rema has acheived great milestones in his short career span:

• He was the Gen-Z Nigerian artist to cross 1B streams on Spotify with a single.
• Multiple Headies and Soundcity MVP Awards.
• Winner of MTV Europe Music Award (EMA) for Best African Act.
• Regular headliner at major festivals like Wireless, Afro Nation, and Dreamville Festival.

Controversies & Challenges

Rema’s career has also faced scrutiny and controversies, some tied to his early life:

• Laptop Theft Allegation: In an early interview, he revealed being accused of stealing a laptop as a teenager, an experience he says reflected the struggles of hustling before fame.
• Health & Burnout (2023): Cancelled a European concert citing exhaustion, sparking concern about artist workload.
• Social Media Moments: Known for cryptic tweets and unique style, which sometimes polarize fans.
• Comparisons & Pressure: Frequently compared to Burna Boy, Wizkid and Davido, Rema has admitted in interviews that it creates intense pressure.

Personal Life

Rema is currently single and keeps details about his relationships private. Spiritually inclined, he often shares how faith influences his lifestyle.

Quick Facts About Rema