Short answer first so you don’t have to scroll: Rema is from Benin City in Edo State — his roots are commonly described as Edo/Benin. That is the easiest, most accurate way to say it. There are some local conversations and nuance about nearby communities and mixed identities, but when people ask “what tribe is Rema?” the correct, respectful reply is: Benin (Edo).
Why this question matters
When fans ask “what tribe is Rema from?” they’re really asking two things: where did he grow up, and what cultural background informs his music and image. In Nigeria, tribe is shorthand for a whole cultural package — language, food, ceremonies, fashion, ways of speaking, even mannerisms. For a rising artist like Rema, that package helps explain parts of his vibe.
But tribe can also become a weapon online — fans arguing over labels, people claiming ownership of someone’s identity, and noise that distracts from the music. I don’t want that. I want clarity. So again: Benin City. Edo. That’s the base.
Rema’s hometown: Benin City, Edo State
Benin City is one of Nigeria’s oldest and culturally richest cities. It has a royal history, craftsmanship, storytelling traditions and a deep sense of identity. When someone says Rema is from Benin City, they are pointing to that environment — the streets, the language, the festivals, the crafts, and the local energy that influenced him as a boy.
Growing up in Benin means being surrounded by a culture that respects art. From bronze casting to strong oral traditions and a history of kingship, Benin is proud and expressive. That pride and creativity often show up in artists from the region — and you can see echoes of that in Rema’s visuals, his respect for roots, and his confident, unapologetic energy.
What does “Edo” or “Benin” actually mean in this context?
When people say “Edo” they are usually referring to the ethnic group associated with the Benin Kingdom. Saying someone is Edo or Benin typically points to that shared history and culture. It’s not a small thing — it’s a long tradition that goes back centuries, and it means the person likely grew up with certain cultural references and a sense of belonging to that community.
For Rema, being from Benin City acts like a silent influence in his art. He might not sing traditional Benin songs, but the way he carries himself, the visuals he chooses sometimes, the respect he gives to elders and local places — those are subtle fingerprints of where he came from.
The Igbanke / mixed-identity conversation — what that is and why it appears online
You may have seen chatter about Igbanke, Ika, Igbo or mixed claims when people talk about Rema. That confusion comes from the complex patchwork of communities in and around Edo and Delta states. Some towns and families have mixed histories; intermarriage across groups is common; some local people identify in ways that don’t fit strict categories.
Social media loves a debate, so when local accounts mention Igbanke or an adjacent identity, it quickly spreads. But this does not replace the simple fact that Rema’s widely accepted origin is Benin City, Edo State. Local nuance exists — always — but it shouldn’t be treated like evidence that he belongs to a completely different tribe.
How his Benin roots show up in his music and visuals
You don’t have to hear a drum and call it “Benin.” Culture is more subtle than that. For Rema, the influence appears in several ways:
- The visuals: some videos and photos include local styles, fabrics, and gestures that nod to Southern/Nigerian aesthetic traditions.
- The swagger and manners: Benin people are proud but humble — you’ll see that quiet confidence reflected in Rema’s stage presence.
- The respect for elders and ceremony: he’s been seen paying respect to cultural institutions and elders — a common practice for artists who want to honour where they came from.
- The musical choices: Rema fuses Afrobeats with other flavors — but the foundation, the way he phrases lines and balances rhythm and melody, draws from the local musical sensibility he grew up around.
All of that is cultural gravity: it pulls an artist in ways that are visible if you’ve watched closely.
Benin City and its creative ecosystem
The city isn’t Lagos, but it has its own creative ecosystem. Young artists in Benin grow up around local freestyles, community gatherings, school concerts, and storytelling nights. That environment teaches you to stand out — to be original. Rema didn’t come into music because of a single studio or label alone; he came out of a town where creativity was part of daily life.
That matters. When people make Rema only about labels and playlists, they miss that his foundation is older and quieter: it’s a place where art matters.
Family background and local connections
Rema’s family and the people around him helped shape his early steps. He didn’t appear out of nowhere; he had local supports, rhythm in the neighborhood, and access to the kinds of social interactions that push a kid toward making songs. Whether that was through church, school, or neighborhood parties, those are the stepping stones many Nigerian artists share.
Again, that’s Edo. That’s Benin City showing up through daily life, not through flashy declarations.
Why some people confuse tribe with style
Here’s the thing: tribe and style are not the same. Someone might wear beads, braided hair, or certain fabrics and people on the internet will immediately start guessing a tribal label. That’s sloppy thinking. For Rema, his style choices are part of a modern, global youth aesthetic. He borrows from many places and then makes it his own.
So if you see features that look “southern” or “eastern” in a video, don’t assume his tribe changed. He’s experimenting with fashion and visuals — and that’s different from heritage.
How to talk about Rema’s tribe without being rude
If you’re writing about him or talking to friends, use respectful language. Say “Rema is from Benin City (Edo State)” and leave it there. If you want to discuss nuance, you can say “some local conversations mention Igbanke or nearby identities, but the commonly accepted origin is Benin.” Don’t try to claim an artist for a tribe as if they belong to one group for the internet’s benefit — that’s not fair to the person or the people involved.
Does his tribe define his music? Yes and no.
Let me be clear: tribe is one ingredient among many. Rema’s music is the product of:
- personal taste and influences
- global sounds he consumed
- the producers and collaborators he worked with
- his local upbringing in Benin City
- his personality and experiences
The tribe is not the only thing that explains why “Dumebi” or “Calm Down” worked. But it helps explain where some of his taste came from, the visual choices he makes, and the quiet confidence he projects.
What Rema himself shows about his identity
Rema doesn’t run around labeling himself in interviews. He lets the music speak. When he does acknowledge his background, it’s usually in a way that honors home without making it a brand. He pays respects to his hometown, he visits local cultural points sometimes, and he shows gratitude for the people who saw him start.
That’s the mark of someone grounded: you don’t have to shout your origin; you simply act in a way that reminds people where you’re from.
How the Benin royal history shapes local pride — and how Rema benefits from that
Benin has a strong royal history and a culture that values art and craftsmanship. That heritage breeds pride. When someone from Benin rises on a global stage, there is a communal pride that follows — not because of tribalism, but because the town sees one of its own representing their culture internationally.
Rema benefits from that support system. It’s not just fans in Lagos who cheer him on; people across Edo State feel his success like a shared victory.
Language, slang and how it shows up in his lyrics
Rema mostly sings in English and pidgin, but the cadence, slang and local turns of phrase sometimes reflect his background. That’s normal. Language is how you express place. Even if he doesn’t sing in Edo language often, the rhythm of his speech sometimes carries local markers — little things those from Benin notice instantly.
Why some people try to claim him as Igbo or other tribes
Two reasons: confusion and attention. Confusion because local intermarriage and migration create families with complex identities. Attention because shouting “he’s Igbo!” or “he’s not Edo!” gets clicks. Don’t fall for that noise. The respectful truth is simple: Benin City. Edo.
How his tribal identity affects his fanbase
Many fans from Edo feel a special connection to Rema — that hometown pride is natural. But his music is broad and friendly to many Nigerians across tribes. The best part is that he doesn’t use tribe as a barrier — people of different backgrounds enjoy his songs. In that sense, he’s both a son of Benin and a voice for the whole country.
How to write headlines or social posts about his tribe (my preferred style)
Keep it direct and respectful. Use lines like:
- “Rema: From Benin City — The Roots Behind His Sound”
- “Why Benin City Matters to Rema’s Music”
- “Rema’s Edo Roots: Heritage, Pride and Sound”
Don’t use language that suggests ownership or fights over identity. That only distracts from his music.
Final thought — tribe is a part of the story, not the whole book
Rema’s tribe is Edo (Benin City). That’s the anchor. Everything else — the debates, the social chatter about Igbanke, the fashionable choices — are details that add texture, not contradictions that rewrite his origin.
If you want to explore more about who he is and how his personal life shapes his art, read the other pieces I wrote about him:
Who Is Rema & How Old Is He? — for full background, and
Who Is Rema’s Girlfriend? — if you’re curious about his private life.
If you want to know about the faith side, check: What Religion Is Rema From?
Bottom line: say “Benin City, Edo State” and you’re right. Say it proudly — Rema’s roots are part of his strength, and it’s okay to celebrate that without using it to divide people.
