Here is a detailed biography of Rema (Divine Ikubor) — life, career, influences — and an analysis of his net worth. This is based on publicly available sources as of 2025; some figures vary by source.
Early Life and Background
Full Name & Birth
Divine Ikubor, better known by his stage name Rema, was born on May 1, 2000, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. (Wikipedia)
Family & Upbringing
Rema grew up in Benin City in a Christian household. He has spoken about losing his father and older brother, experiences that shaped his early life and ambition. (GistReel) His Edo heritage is an important part of his identity, and he sometimes draws on his roots in his music and personal narrative. (Moneymatters)
Education
Rema attended Ighile Group of Schools in Edo State for his primary and secondary education. Later, he was admitted to the University of Lagos in 2022, but according to some reports, he had to leave in 2023 due to the protracted ASUU strike. (GistReel)
Early Musical Influences
Rema’s musical journey began at a young age. He started in church, leading the youth music wing, which helped him develop his vocal abilities and stage presence. (GistReel) As a teenager, he formed a rap duo called RNA with a friend named Alpha P. They released music and even won a talent competition.
Musical Career
Breakthrough (2019)
Rema’s big break came in 2019 when he gained widespread attention after signing to Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records, which was founded by Don Jazzy. (Wikipedia) That same year, he released his self-titled debut EP, Rema, which featured tracks like “Dumebi”, “Iron Man”, “Why”, and “Corny”. (GistReel)
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“Iron Man” was especially notable: former U.S. President Barack Obama included it on his 2019 summer playlist, bringing international exposure to Rema.
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“Dumebi” became a viral hit in Nigeria and beyond, helping to cement Rema as a rising star in Afrobeats. (Wikipedia)
Musical Style & Identity
Rema’s music is known for blending Afrobeats, trap, pop, R&B, and even house influences. (GistReel) He often describes his sound as “Afro-Rave,” a term he uses to convey his own interpretation of Afrobeats with a more experimental, genre-bending twist. (GistReel)
Albums and Major Releases
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His debut studio album, Rave & Roses, was released in 2022. (Wikipedia)
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In 2024, Rema dropped his second studio album, HEIS, which further established his “Afrorave” sound and artistic identity. (GistReel)
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According to reports, some of the standout songs from these projects include: “Calm Down” (and its remix with Selena Gomez), “Hehehe”, “Benin Boys”, and “Yayo”. (Financial Times)
International Breakthrough
Perhaps Rema’s most globally recognized song is “Calm Down”. The remix featuring Selena Gomez became a huge hit, charting internationally (including on the Billboard Hot 100) and significantly raising his profile. (Wikipedia) The original and remix combined racked up billions of streams on platforms like Spotify, helping him cross over from the Nigerian / African market to a global audience. (Dockaysworld)
Tours & Performances
Rema has embarked on several tours, including the Heis World Tour in 2025, which covers North America, Europe, and Asia. (Pitchfork) He’s performed at major venues and festivals, elevating his status as a global Afrobeats artist.
Recognition & Awards
He has earned many accolades in his career:
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In 2019, he won the Next Rated Artist award at The Headies. (goodinfo.com.ng)
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He has received nominations and wins at various African and international awards, including BET Awards and MTV Europe Music Awards. (Dockaysworld)
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His streaming achievements are also remarkable; for example, “Calm Down (Remix)” has broken records on Spotify. (goodinfo.com.ng)
Personal Life
Personality and Public Image
Rema is often described as introspective, creative, and forward-thinking. Despite his fame, many interviews portray him as grounded, someone who reflects deeply on his origins and cultural background.
Relationship
As of 2025, Rema has been linked romantically to Justine Skye, though neither party has publicly confirmed many personal details. (GistReel)
Philanthropy
There are reports that he gives back to his community. For example, he has made charitable donations to his home church and shown interest in youth empowerment. (Dockaysworld)
Business & Lifestyle
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Rema has invested in assets like real estate. (Dockaysworld)
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He owns a number of luxury cars, according to some sources: reportedly a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, Lamborghini Huracán, BMW M4, Range Rover Velar, and even a McLaren GTS. (Dockaysworld)
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He’s also known for his fashion sense — a mix of Afrobeats flair, streetwear, and futuristic style. (goodinfo.com.ng)
0Net Worth
Estimating Rema’s net worth is tricky because different sources give different numbers. But based on multiple credible reports, here’s a breakdown:
Estimated Net Worth (2025)
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Moneymatters.ng estimates his net worth at US$10–15 million. (Moneymatters)
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DockaysWorld (a Nigerian site) estimates around US$12 million (which they convert to over ₦18 billion) based on his global streaming, tours, and endorsements. (Dockaysworld)
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Some other sources (like NigerianSearchGuide) cite lower estimates — around US$2 million — but these seem less consistent with his commercial success. (Nigerian Search Guide)
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There are also estimates in the US$5–7 million range mentioned by media outlets like DeelaWPromoter. (D.L.P)
Given these, a reasonable estimate for 2025 is that Rema’s net worth is somewhere between US$10 million and US$15 million, depending on how one counts his income streams (royalties, tours, endorsements, etc.).
Sources of Wealth
Rema's income comes from a diversified mix:
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Streaming & Music Sales
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Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other platforms. His songs, especially “Calm Down,” generate large royalty payments. (Research Room)
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Live Performances & Tours
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International tours (e.g., Heis World Tour) bring in substantial revenue. (Dockaysworld)
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Performance fees in Nigeria are also significant, per multiple sources. (Melting Pot Africa)
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Brand Endorsements
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Rema has deals with big brands. He’s been linked with Pepsi and OPPO, among others. (Melting Pot Africa)
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Reports suggest he also partnered with Jordan Brand (Nike’s Jumpman), making him a prominent face in fashion endorsements. (Melting Pot Africa)
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Merchandise & Investments
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He likely makes money from merchandise, real estate, and his growing brand as a global Afrobeats artist. (Dockaysworld)
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YouTube / Digital Revenue
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His music videos and presence on YouTube generate ad revenue. (Melting Pot Africa)
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Impact & Significance
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Cultural Influence: Rema represents a new generation of Afrobeats artists who blend traditional African sounds with global influences. His “Afrorave” style shows his willingness to innovate. (GistReel)
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Global Reach: With the success of “Calm Down,” he has helped propel Afrobeats further on the world stage. (Wikipedia)
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Youth Icon: Born in 2000, Rema is young, but he's achieved a lot very quickly. He has become a role model for many young Nigerians and Afrobeats fans globally.
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Business Savvy: Beyond music, his investments in real estate and high-profile endorsements show a smart approach to building wealth.
Challenges & Controversies
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Personal Loss: Early in life, the loss of his father and brother was challenging.
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Public Perception: With his creative, sometimes avant-garde style (especially in stage performances), not everyone always “gets” his artistic vision. For example, his London O2 concert featured Gothic visuals that some misinterpreted. (The Guardian)
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Estimating Net Worth: As with many young artists, public net worth estimates vary, making it difficult to know precisely how much he’s worth.
Future Outlook
Given his trajectory, Rema seems poised for even greater success:
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More Albums: With two major studio albums already and a global fanbase, future releases can further grow his catalog and earnings.
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Bigger Tours: His 2025 world tour is a major step; subsequent tours could be even more lucrative.
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Brand Partnerships: Expect more high-value endorsements as his global profile grows.
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Cross-Genre Exploration: Rema’s inclination toward genre-blending suggests he may continue to innovate, potentially collaborating with artists from other parts of the world.
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Legacy Building: At only his mid-20s (in 2025), he has time to build not only a musical legacy but also business ventures, possibly in fashion, media, or other creative industries.
Conclusion
Rema (Divine Ikubor) is one of the most exciting and talented young artists in the Afrobeats scene today. From humble beginnings in Benin City to global stages, his rise has been rapid but well-earned. His blend of trap, Afrobeats, and pop — framed under his self-styled “Afrorave” sound — sets him apart. Financially, while estimates of his net worth vary, most credible sources put him in the US$10–15 million range as of 2025, thanks to streaming, touring, brand deals, and smart investments.
If you like, I can provide a 2025-2026 updated net worth forecast for Rema based on his current trajectory, expected earnings, and upcoming projects — do you want me to do that?

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