By Patriot Corps
Rema’s “Calm Down” continues to make monumental strides in the music industry, cementing its place in history as the most-streamed Afrobeats song in the US. According to Chart Data on X, it is the first Afrobeats track to surpass one billion on-demand streams in the US.
Released in February 2022 as part of Rema’s debut album, *Rave & Roses*, the song has garnered immense acclaim. Billboard music analysts attribute its success to its “melancholy slow jam with a subtle hypnotic draw,” a quality that entices listeners to replay it repeatedly.
Rema, born Divine Ikubor, elevated the song’s reach by partnering with US singer Selena Gomez for a remix, which also achieved significant milestones. This version reached over a billion plays on Spotify and became the first African song to spend a year on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number three. Additionally, the remix has amassed nearly 894 million views on YouTube, making it the most-watched music video by a Nigerian artist.
“Calm Down” has propelled Rema into the upper echelons of Nigerian Afrobeats artists, alongside Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido. Rema describes his unique style as “Afrorave,” highlighting his innovative approach within the genre. His success underscores the global appeal and rising influence of Afrobeats on the world stage.