Remember when Rema was just that little kid with the teddy bear singing about Dumebi? Well, in just three years, the Mavin and Jonzing-signee has quickly become one of the most influential names in Afrobeats with back-to-back hits, Gen Z fashion on lock and fans in every corner of the world.
Here are all the times Rema reminded us his mother wasn’t playing when she named him “Divine”.
When he caused a Dumebi-mania and dropped three EPs back to back in 2019
2019 was the year Rema went from small-town Benin boy to national vibes master with Dumebi. Everyone and their grandmas knew this song, but instead of just milking that one single, he dropped three EPs that year: Rema, Rema Freestyle and Bad Commando — they all slapped.
When Iron Man appeared on Barack Obama’s Summer Playlist in 2019
Getting into former president Barack Obama’s summer playlist barely seven months into your career has to be a major flex for Rema. The crazy part was even though Dumebi was the hottest Rema song that year, Obama showed us he’s not like the basic girlies when he selected the lesser-known Iron Man for his playlist. We stan a leader with real taste.
Rema, the meme king
Whether he’s in a car singing “Somebody, save me” or responding to fan tweets with the most unhinged memes, Rema has proven time and time again that he’s the social media gift that keeps giving.
When he won Next Rated at the Headies in 2020
We can debate the Headies Awards and their winners from now till next year. But if there’s one thing the Headies has gotten right, it’s giving Rema the Next Rated award in 2020. It’s clear they could see his future would be filled with bangers.
When he dropped Peace of Mind right after the #EndSARS protests of 2020
After the chaos of the lockdown and #EndSARS protests, it’s safe to say 2020 was a stressful year for most Nigerians. But Rema came through with Peace of Mind in December of that year, and let me say this underrated bop is the song I didn’t know I needed until it came out.
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The time he dropped fire verses on not one but two songs on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Soundtrack in 2022
On an album with Burna Boy, Rihanna, Tems and Stormzy, Rema stood out on joints with Bloody Civilian and Aleman. He’s one of only two artistes to make more than three appearances on the Marvel soundtrack.
All the times he’s carried features and remixes on his back
Can you imagine Jae5’s Dimension without Rema’s verse and chorus? Neither can I.
The time he brought Don Jazzy out of semi-retirement to talk about booty in 2021
Everyone knows it’s a big deal when Don Jazzy drops his influencer camera to produce a song for an artiste. Inviting the Mavin boss to talk about a fascinating topic, the gravitational ups and downs of bumbum, Rema created one of the most infectious songs of 2021.
The king of fashion
Rema has been serving looks from day one. There was this look:
And let’s not forget this one:
When he dropped Rave & Roses, one of the best albums of 2022
Three years after popping up on the scene with Dumebi, Rema finally dropped his anticipated debut album, Rave & Roses, and boy, was it worth the wait. Housing hit songs like Calm Down, Addicted, Jo and Are You There? Rave & Roses cemented Rema’s position as one of the most exciting acts in music right now.
The time he turned Madonna and Selena Gomez into fangirls in 2022
It’s not easy to have the Queen of Pop and a real-life Disney princess pulling up to your shows to tell you they’re huge fans of your music. Thee Madonna? Thee Selena Gomez? Who’s seeing Rema right now? No one.
This “Africa to the world” moment when he performed at the NBA All-Stars halftime show in 2023
Rema joining Tems and Burna Boy to perform at the NBA All-Stars game in 2023 was a major moment for most Nigerians. Rihanna had just completed her Super Bowl performance, but for us Nigerians, this was the actual music meets sport event of February.
The time the Calm Down remix with Selena Gomez became a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100
We’ve only ever had two Nigerian artistes crack the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart: Wizkid with Essence and One Dance, and Tems with WAIT FOR U and Essence. But Rema has officially joined this list with his Selena Gomez-assisted remix of Calm Down climbing up to the 19th spot on the chart. Iconic AF.
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