This week, CNN International's magazine programme African Voices Changemakers, sponsored by the leading telecommunications and digital solutions company Globacom, features Nigerian Afrobeat musician, songwriter, and multiple award-winner, Rema.
The 24-year-old music star, whose real name is Divine Ikubor, hails from Edo State. He discovered his passion for music by singing in church and rapping to entertain his friends while attending Ighile Group of Schools, his secondary school.
Rema gained recognition after posting a freestyle to D'Prince's song *"Gucci Gang"* on Instagram. Impressed by his exceptional talent, D'Prince invited him to Lagos and secured a record deal for him with Jonzing World, a division of Mavin Records, owned by producer and music entrepreneur Don Jazzy. His breakout hit, *"Dumebi,"* was the first result of that contract in 2019.
In 2022, Rema achieved international success with his hit song *"Calm Down,"* which later received a remix featuring American singer Selena Gomez. The track peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and held the top spot on the Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart for a record-breaking 58 weeks.
Rema's musical achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including the Billboard Music Award for Top Afrobeats Song and the MTV Video Music Award for Best Afrobeats Video.
In addition to performing at the Ballon d'Or ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France, on October 30, 2023, Rema was honored on November 7, 2022, during his London concert for surpassing one billion streams globally.
The programme will air on Saturday at 8:30 a.m., with repeats at noon the same day. Additional repeats will be broadcast on Sunday at 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and on Monday at 4:00 a.m.
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