Rema’s “Calm Down” has become a global phenomenon, shattering records and topping charts around the world, solidifying its position as the biggest African music export yet. Here’s a closer look at why this song is so significant:
Unprecedented streaming success
The song, particularly the remix featuring Selena Gomez, has achieved a historic feat, surpassing a billion streams on demand in the United States alone. This makes it the first Afrobeats and African song ever to reach this milestone in the US market, a country known for its competitive music scene.
This billion-stream achievement signifies a massive audience for Afrobeats, opening doors for future African artists to gain on-demand streaming recognition in the US.
REMA’s “Calm Down” becomes the first Afrobeats song in history to earn over 1 billion on-demand streams in the US. pic.twitter.com/K29GwYULZI
— chart data (@chartdata) June 16, 2024
Chart-topping triumph on Billboard
The remix climbed to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, setting a record for a contemporary African song. This achievement is only surpassed by Hugh Masekela’s 1968 hit “Grazing In The Grass” which reached number one.
“Calm Down” also remained on the Hot 100 chart for an impressive 52 weeks, showcasing its enduring popularity and ability to resonate with listeners for a sustained period.
Accolades and awards recognition
The song’s impact goes beyond streams and charts. It secured the top spot on the Billboard Pop Airplay chart, another record for African music. This accomplishment signifies that “Calm Down” wasn’t just a catchy tune but a song with strong compositional elements and widespread radio appeal.
This success is further solidified by its 4x platinum certification from the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), a prestigious award that indicates millions of copies sold.
Global recognition and audience
Rema’s “Calm Down” isn’t just a U.S. phenomenon. It holds the title of the first and only Afrobeats song to surpass a billion streams on Spotify globally. This immense streaming success indicates a massive worldwide audience for the song, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.
Additionally, the music video for the remix has garnered a staggering 893 million views on YouTube, making it the most-viewed video by a Nigerian artist on the platform. The original video also boasts an impressive 596 million views, showcasing the song’s captivating visuals and ability to draw viewers in from all corners of the globe.
In conclusion, Rema’s “Calm Down,” particularly the remix with Selena Gomez, has shattered records, garnered a massive global audience, and received critical acclaim. From record-breaking streams and topping charts to receiving awards and generating award-winning music videos, this song has cemented its place as a groundbreaking achievement for Afrobeats and African music as a whole.
“Calm Down” has not only introduced Rema to a global audience but has also paved the way for future Afrobeats artists to gain mainstream recognition on a worldwide scale.
