Nigerian artist Rema achieved a first for African music as ‘Calm Down’ surpassed one billion streams in the US, according to Chart Data (June 17, 2024).
The song, a lead single from Rema’s 2022 album “Raves & Roses”, featured Selena Gomez in the remix on the deluxe version. This remix became the first Afrobeats and African song to reach one billion on-demand streams in the US. It also holds the record for the most-streamed Afrobeats song on Spotify and the most-viewed Nigerian music video on YouTube (original: 596 million+ views, remix: 893 million+ views).
The original music video for “Calm Down” has garnered over 596 million views on YouTube, making it the most-viewed music video by a Nigerian artist on the platform. The remix video featuring Selena Gomez has surpassed that number, with over 893 million views and counting.
These viewership figures demonstrate the powerful combination of music and visuals that Afrobeats artists like Rema are wielding to captivate audiences worldwide. Rema’s success with “Calm Down” is not just a personal triumph; it represents a significant shift in the global music landscape.
