When Rema, the Nigerian Afrobeats sensation from Benin City, skyrocketed to global fame—selling out international shows and becoming the first African artist to achieve over a billion streams on Spotify—his next move was clear: he returned home for a victory lap.
“I have Benin City blood rushing through my veins,” the artist, whose real name is Divine Ikubor, told CNN before his sold-out homecoming show in late August. “I already have the biggest song from Africa. I can either keep chasing that or focus on what I need to do for myself, my culture, and my family.”
Rema gained international recognition in 2022 with his hit single “Calm Down,” and its remix featuring Selena Gomez marked a historic year on the Billboard Hot 100 as the first African song to remain on the chart for a year.
Celebrating his fifth year in the industry, Rema is reconnecting with his roots and highlighting his heritage, which he credits as the foundation of his success. “It’s been five years of global expansion,” the 24-year-old explained. “I felt the need to create a meaningful body of work that reflects my origins.”
This year, Rema has been honoring his heritage by incorporating cultural references from Benin City—like the local bats—into his promotions, performances, and the artwork for his latest album, “Heis.” The album, whose title means “number one” in Greek, showcases his deep connection to his Nigerian roots and features a blend of Afro-rave, a mix of Afrobeats, dancehall, R&B, hip hop, and house music.
In June, he released “Benin Boys,” a tribute to their hometown featuring fellow Benin City native Shallipoppi. Shortly after, Rema held a homecoming show in the city, located about 186 miles (300 kilometers) east of Lagos.
“The highlight of my show is singing the songs my people have loved for years and sharing that experience with them,” Rema shared. “I just want to feel the love in the room.”
On August 30th, fans filled the streets outside the 12,000-seat Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, with some camping overnight to secure their spots for Rema’s performance. The event featured opening acts from emerging local talent, including popular Nigerian rapper Zerry DL and Rema’s Mavin Records label mates Magixx, Ladipoe, and Crayon. Rema also performed duets with OdumoduBlvck and Shallipoppi, celebrating both his success and Nigeria’s homegrown artists.
“I believe we should continuously uplift one another,” he said. “Ultimately, we’re doing this for our fans. We appreciate their support and recognize the struggles we’ve faced together—if I can excel, so can you.
