Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Rema has achieved a historic milestone as his hit song “Calm Down” becomes the first African song to reach 1 billion on-demand streams in the United States.
According to the American Music Statistics Company’s Chart Data, the song has surpassed this impressive mark in the US, solidifying Rema’s position as a trailblazer in the music industry.
This achievement follows another historic milestone, as the remix featuring Selena Gomez became the first African song to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify last August.
The original version of “Calm Down” was also recognised by Guinness World Records as the first number-one song on the MENA regional streaming chart.
Rema, born Divine Ikubor, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, and songwriter. Born on May 1, 2000, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, Rema’s passion for music began during his secondary school days. He started his career performing in churches with his collaborator Alpha P before gaining recognition after posting a viral freestyle on Instagram.
Signed to D’Prince’s record label, Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records, Rema released his self-titled debut EP in 2019, which topped Apple Music’s Nigerian charts. His breakout song, “Dumebi,” gained 75 million views on YouTube and was featured on former US President Barack Obama’s summer playlist.
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Rema’s debut studio album, “Rave & Roses,” was released in 2022, featuring 16 tracks, including collaborations with international artists like 6lack and Chris Brown. The album charted 10 songs on the US Billboard Afrobeats Chart and spawned the hit single “Calm Down,” which reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
Rema’s achievement marks a significant moment for African music, showcasing its growing influence and popularity worldwide.
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