Rema’s achievement with his song ‘Calm Down’ marks a historic milestone in African music, particularly in the United States. Released as one of the lead singles from his debut album ‘Raves & Roses’ in March 2022, ‘Calm Down’ has not only enjoyed immense commercial success but has also set numerous records.
Here are the key highlights of Rema’s accomplishment:
1. **Billion Streams Milestone**: ‘Calm Down’ has surpassed over a billion streams, making it the first Afrobeats and African song to achieve this feat in the United States. This milestone underscores its popularity and widespread appeal among global audiences.
2. **Success on Billboard Charts**: The remix of ‘Calm Down’ featuring Selena Gomez peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, a significant achievement for a contemporary African song. This positions it as the second highest-charting African song after Hugh Masekela’s ‘Grazing In The Grass’ in 1968.
3. **Longevity and Popularity**: The song spent more than 52 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and also topped the Billboard Pop Airplay Chart, setting new records for African music in these categories. Its sustained success is reflected in its 4X platinum certification by RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America).
4. **Streaming and Video Records**: On Spotify, ‘Calm Down’ holds the distinction of being the first and only Afrobeats record to surpass a billion streams. The music video for both the original and the remix versions have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of views on YouTube, further cementing Rema’s influence and reach.
5. **Global Impact**: The success of ‘Calm Down’ underscores the growing influence of Afrobeats on the global music scene. It has not only elevated Rema’s profile internationally but also opened doors for other African artists seeking to break into global markets.
Overall, Rema’s achievement with ‘Calm Down’ not only highlights his musical talent and innovative approach but also solidifies his position as a trailblazer in African music, particularly in the United States where Afrobeats continues to gain traction and appreciation.