REMA – I’ve Been Collecting Awards Since Age 19

Nigerian Afrobeats star Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has taken a moment to reflect on his meteoric rise in the music industry, revealing that he has been receiving major awards since the age of 19.

The 25-year-old singer made the remark on Sunday while accepting three honours at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), further cementing his status as one of Africa’s leading musical exports.

Speaking during his acceptance speech, Rema expressed gratitude for his sustained success, noting that his journey in the industry has now spanned seven years.

He recalled joining Mavin Records at 19 and described it as both humbling and fulfilling to still be celebrated years later. The artiste thanked AFRIMA for the recognition and appreciated the continued support of fans across the continent and beyond.

The Benin City-born performer signed with Mavin Records in 2019 and quickly rose to prominence with early hits such as Iron Man and Dumebi, which propelled him into the spotlight and established him as a standout voice in Afrobeats.

Rema’s global breakthrough came in 2022 with Calm Down, a chart-topping single that later featured American pop star Selena Gomez on the remix. The song achieved massive international success, dominating charts in several countries and introducing him to a wider global audience.

At this year’s AFRIMA ceremony, Rema emerged as one of the biggest winners of the night, taking home awards for Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, Artiste of the Year, and Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African R&B/Soul for Calm Down. His victories came ahead of fellow Nigerian heavyweights including Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid and Asake.

Following the award ceremony, the Afrobeats sensation returned to his roots, visiting his childhood neighbourhood and his church in Benin City, Edo State, alongside his mother—a gesture that highlighted his continued connection to home despite his global success.