When Divine Ikubor, better known as Rema, first appeared on Nigeria’s mainstream stage in 2019, few predicted how quickly he would grow into a global ambassador for Afrobeats. Today, he isn’t just a Nigerian superstar; he’s a generational voice shaping the sound and aesthetics of African music on the world stage.
This is the story of his beginnings, his discography, his defining moments, and how one single — “Calm Down” — turned him into a global chart phenomenon.
The Breakthrough: “Dumebi”
Rema’s official entry into the music world came with “Dumebi,” his debut single released in 2019 under Jonzing World/Mavin Records. The song was a playful, addictive Afropop tune that captured youth energy in its purest form. Its colorful video, featuring carefree dancing and teenage romance, amplified its appeal and instantly turned Rema into a household name across Nigeria and Africa.
“Dumebi” did more than go viral — it cemented him as the new face of Afrobeats’ Gen Z wave. The song spread beyond Africa, becoming a soundtrack on TikTok, clubs, and streaming playlists, and announced Rema as a global prospect.
Building the Catalogue: “Soundgasm” and “Charm”
After “Dumebi,” Rema avoided being a one-hit wonder by consistently delivering hits that showed range and growth.
- “Soundgasm” (2021): sultry, minimalist, and sensual, this track showcased a more mature side of Rema. It proved that he could handle intimacy and mood just as effectively as he handled playful bops. The song’s stripped-back production and breathy delivery made it one of his most streamed tracks, and it became a viral anthem in its own right.
- “Charm” (2023): released as part of his Rave & Roses (Ultra) expansion, “Charm” fused swagger with irresistible groove. Its infectious rhythm and chant-like chorus made it another fan favorite, dominating charts across Africa and pushing Rema further into festival-setlist territory.
These records demonstrated that Rema wasn’t content with sticking to one sonic formula. He was crafting a palette that could carry both radio-ready bangers and experimental cuts.
The Evolution: Rave & Roses and Beyond
In 2022, Rema released his long-awaited debut album, Rave & Roses. This was more than a collection of songs; it was a manifesto. Rema used the album to introduce the world to Afrorave — his self-coined subgenre that blended Afrobeats with trap, Arabian melodies, and electronic soundscapes.
Rave & Roses carried hits like “Soundgasm,” “Time N Affection,” and of course, “Calm Down.” It was ambitious, futuristic, and visually branded around roses and ravers — a departure from the wide-eyed “Dumebi” boy. Here, Rema reintroduced himself as a global artist with a curated aesthetic: darker, more experimental, and bolder in identity.
The release of Rave & Roses (Ultra) in 2023, with extra tracks like “Charm” and “Holiday,” further emphasized his growth. It showed Rema wasn’t just evolving sonically but also rebranding himself as an artist who could headline festivals, dominate global charts, and stand beside international peers.
The “Calm Down” Phenomenon
Among all his hits, “Calm Down” stands as the crown jewel. It didn’t just break records — it rewrote what was possible for Afrobeats on the world stage.
Spotify Streaming Success
The remix with Selena Gomez became one of the most-streamed Afrobeats songs ever, with over 1.7 billion Spotify streams, while the original version itself has crossed hundreds of millions of plays. The combined numbers make it a historic track in African music.
Chart Performance
- Peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest-charting Afrobeats-led track at the time.
- Dominated the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart for 58 consecutive weeks at No. 1 — a record-breaking run.
- Charted across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, proving its global resonance.
Awards
“Calm Down (Remix)” won Best Afrobeats at the MTV VMAs 2023, along with other nominations and wins at international ceremonies. It cemented Afrobeats as not just a genre of global curiosity but one of mainstream dominance.
YouTube Milestone
The video for the remix surpassed one billion views on YouTube — a milestone very few African artists have achieved. Both the original and remix visuals are among the most-watched Afrobeats videos of all time.
HEIS — The Next Chapter of Rema
In 2025, Rema unveiled his sophomore album, HEIS, a project that signaled a dramatic new chapter in his career. Where Rave & Roses introduced Afrorave and positioned him as a global pop innovator, HEIS leaned even further into boldness — musically, visually, and conceptually.
The title itself, “HEIS,” was a powerful declaration of identity: Rema no longer presenting himself as the wide-eyed newcomer, but as a fully-formed global star who commands attention. The album embraced darker, experimental aesthetics, blending Afrobeats with futuristic synths, alternative trap influences, and an edgier fashion/visual identity.
Branding-wise, HEIS marked a shift from Rema the boyish heartthrob to Rema the avant-garde icon — an artist deliberately crafting mystery, rebellion, and global appeal. It reintroduced him not only as a hitmaker but as a tastemaker, someone reshaping the narrative of what an Afrobeats superstar can look and sound like.
For fans, HEIS was proof of evolution: the boy from Benin City who sang “Dumebi” had now transformed into a world-dominating star with a voice, a sound, and an aesthetic unlike anyone else. For the industry, it was a reminder that Rema isn’t chasing trends — he’s setting them.
Rema’s journey — from the carefree teen who sang “Dumebi” to the global superstar who gifted the world “Calm Down” and the rebranded visionary of HEIS — is a story of evolution. Songs like “Soundgasm” and “Charm” show his versatility, while his albums (Rave & Roses and HEIS) mark turning points in his artistry and identity.
But beyond the numbers, Rema represents something bigger: the rise of African Gen Z artistry. He embodies the fusion of local culture with global ambition, the confidence of a new generation that doesn’t just want to participate in pop culture but to define it.
✨ Rema is no longer just a rising star — he’s a cultural force. His past hits remind us of his roots, his latest albums show us his evolution, and “Calm Down” will forever stand as the record that turned him into one of Africa’s most successful music exports.