One of Nigeria’s fastest rising stars, Rema has achieved a remarkable milestone with his hit single Calm Down, featuring Selena Gomez reaching one billion streams on Spotify. This is the first African artist-led track to join the Billions Club on Spotify.
In light of data shared as part of Spotify’s “Afrobeats: Journey to a Billion Streams” initiative, it’s noteworthy to mention that Rema has secured a place among the top 10 most-streamed Afrobeats artists on the platform. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that his song reached this remarkable milestone in just over a year.
This accomplishment not only underscores Rema’s burgeoning influence within the music industry but also emphasizes the potency of cross-cultural musical fusion in our interconnected world today. Rema, hailing from Nigeria, collaborated with the American artist Selena Gomez in a remix that took the global music scene by storm.
Rema, upon receiving the news from Spotify, expressed his gratitude, saying, “It’s a blessing. This isn’t just a significant victory for me, my team, and my family; it’s also a significant one for the culture. I feel immense happiness and pride in our fans for embracing the song and sharing it. Special thanks to the DJs and everyone who contributed to making this achievement possible.”
“Calm Down” swiftly became a worldwide favorite due to its infectious blend of Afrobeats rhythms, fused with afro-fusion melodies, Rema’s distinctive and soulful vocals, and the unexpected inclusion of Selena Gomez in an Afrobeats track. The song’s production artfully combines modern and traditional elements, showcasing the evolution of African music.
Achieving a billion streams on Spotify is no small feat; it symbolizes the popularity of “Calm Down” and Rema’s ability to create music that transcends borders and resonates with a diverse global audience. His unique sound has propelled him to the forefront of the international music stage, with the song boasting its highest streams in the USA, India, Mexico, Brazil, and the UK.
The song’s irresistible chorus and relatable lyrics have made it a go-to choice for both dancefloors and personal playlists, with data revealing that “Calm Down” has been added to over a million Spotify playlists.
Victor Okpala, Spotify’s Artist and Label Partnerships Manager for West Africa, remarks, “This milestone is absolutely remarkable for Rema, marking a pivotal moment for this talented artist and the entire Afrobeats community. It’s clear that the genre is making a significant impact and gaining substantial influence on the global music stage, and we are excited to continue supporting it at Spotify.”
This moment epitomizes the power of music to transcend cultural and geographical boundaries and serves as an inspiration for aspiring artists to create authentic, boundary-pushing music that resonates with audiences worldwide.
With this milestone, Rema solidifies his position as a true musical trailblazer and sets the stage for an exciting new chapter in his career.
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