Rema’s Calm Down becomes the first African song to receive one billion Spotify streams

The accomplishment underlines not just Rema's expanding impact in the music business but also the importance of cross-cultural musical fusion in the connected world of today

September 10, 2023 Joshua Samuel

Rema, one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising stars, has reached a stunning milestone with his popular tune Calm Down, starring Selena Gomez, achieving one billion downloads on Spotify, which is a testament to his artistry and universal appeal.

This is the first tune featuring African artists to be inducted into Spotify’s Billions Club.

Rema is among the top 10 most streamed Afrobeats artists on Spotify, so it is not surprising that the song has reached this milestone in a little over a year, per data published as part of Spotify’s Afrobeats: Journey to a Billion Streams project.

The accomplishment not only underlines Rema’s expanding impact in the music business but also emphasizes the importance of cross-cultural musical fusion in the connected world of today. Rema, a Nigerian musician, collaborated with Selena Gomez, an American musician, on a remix that went viral.

It’s a good thing. It’s a significant victory for the culture as well as for myself, my team, and my family. I’m overjoyed and extremely proud of the fans for continuing to play the music and adding people to it. Salutations to the DJs and all those who helped make this happen.

Due to its infectious combination of Afrobeats rhythms and afro-fusion melodies, Rema’s distinctive and soulful singing, and the surprising inclusion of Selena Gomez on an Afrobeats song, Calm Down quickly became a global hit.

The song’s creation, which blended contemporary and traditional components, demonstrates how African music is developing and changing.

The one billion-stream milestone on Spotify is a significant achievement because it shows how well-liked Calm Down is and how his music can connect with listeners from all walks of life. With the song receiving the most streams from the USA, India, Mexico, Brazil, and the UK, his distinctive sound has catapulted him to the top of the international music scene.

Data reveals that Calm Down has been added to over a million Spotify playlists. The song’s catchy chorus and sympathetic lyrics have made it a go-to hit for both dancefloors and personal playlists.

This significant achievement for Rema is a turning point for both her as an artist and for the whole Afrobeats scene. We are thrilled to continue supporting the genre at Spotify because it is apparent that it is having a huge impact and developing substantial influence on the international music scene.

— Victor Okpala, Spotify’s West African Artist and Label Partnerships Manager.

This instance represents the ability of music to cut over cultural and regional barriers and acts as a light for aspiring musicians to produce genuine, frontier-pushing music that connects with listeners everywhere.

With this accomplishment, Rema solidifies his status as a genuine musical pathfinder and creates the foundation for an intriguing new era in his career.

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Joshua Samuel

A conscientious writer with a knack and passion for story telling which spans across different sectors and segments. I love telling stories in writing and bringing quality, authentic and timely information to everyone everywhere.

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