At a Glance
- Rema’s breakout hit “Calm Down” has garnered over 2.5 billion streams, making it one of the most-streamed Afrobeats songs globally.
- “Calm Down” topped the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart for 58 weeks and earned a 5x platinum certification from the RIAA in September 2024.
- Sophomore album, Heis, debuted at number seven on the Billboard US World Albums chart, expanding his global reach.
Nigerian musician Rema has emerged as a dominant figure in the Afrobeats genre, carving a space alongside some of the biggest names in the global music scene, including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Tyla, and Ayra Starr.
His rise to international fame is underscored by the success of his breakout hit “Calm Down,” featuring American pop sensation Selena Gomez.
The track has accumulated over 2.5 billion streams across major platforms Spotify and YouTube, solidifying its status as one of the most streamed songs in the genre’s history.
‘Calm Down’ breaks streaming records globally
“Calm Down” has not only gained traction in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, but has also sparked a global musical movement.
With 1.556 billion streams on Spotify and 1.034 billion views on YouTube, the song’s influence is undeniable. It showcases Rema’s versatility and melodic prowess, which, when paired with Gomez’ evocative voice, creates an anthem that resonates across diverse audiences.
The song soared to number one on both the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart and the Billboard Global Excl. US chart, while reaching number three on the Global 200 chart. It also made waves on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number three, marking Rema’s first top-ten hit and Gomez’ ninth.
The track made history by leading the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart for 58 weeks and topping the all-genre Radio Songs chart for ten consecutive weeks, solidifying its cultural impact. “Calm Down” earned a 5x platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on Sept. 7, 2024, after selling over 5 million certified units in the United States.
The global success of “Calm Down” has catapulted Rema into the international spotlight, boosting his fan base to 20.8 million monthly listeners on Spotify and 4.62 million subscribers on YouTube. His growing digital presence highlights not only his popularity in Africa but his widespread appeal in markets across the globe.
Rema’s ‘Heis’ album achieves global reach
Building on the success of his debut album Rave & Roses (2022), Rema’s second studio album Heis—named after the Greek word for Numeral 1—was released on July 10, 2024. The album, launched through Mavin Records, Jonzing World, and Interscope Records, has already achieved significant commercial success.
Featuring tracks like “Azaman,” “Ozeba,” and “March Am,” which have become fan favorites in Nigeria, Heis quickly rose to the top of TurnTable’s Nigerian Albums chart, reinforcing Rema’s dominance in his home country.
Internationally, Heis has made an impact, peaking at number seven on the Billboard US World Albums chart. It also charted across Europe, reaching number 90 on the UK Albums chart (OCC), number 99 on the Swiss Albums chart (Schweizer Hitparade), and number 131 on the Belgian Albums chart (Ultratop Wallonia), with a ranking of 169 in Flanders.
While the album’s reception reflects Rema’s expanding global presence, the varying chart performances across regions highlight the move to establish a stronghold in diverse international markets.
