Global Success of Rema’s ‘Calm Down’
Since its release in 2022 as one of the lead singles from Rema’s debut album Raves & Roses, the song ‘Calm Down’ has achieved remarkable global commercial success. It has become a landmark achievement for African music, particularly in the United States, where it has set multiple records and broken barriers.
One of the most significant milestones for ‘Calm Down’ is its sale of 8 million units in the U.S. This accomplishment highlights its status as the most commercially successful African song in the country. The track, which features Selena Gomez, has also made history by becoming the first African song to surpass a billion streams in the U.S., marking a major breakthrough for Nigerian music and the broader Afrobeats genre.
The ‘Calm Down’ remix experienced immense popularity in the U.S., spending over 52 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its peak at No. 3 was a historic moment, as it became the highest-charting position for a Nigerian song and the second-highest for an African song overall. Only Hugh Masekela’s 1968 hit ‘Grazing In The Grass’ had previously reached No. 1 on the chart.
Records and Achievements
‘Calm Down’ has accumulated numerous records across various platforms. On Spotify, it holds the title of the most-streamed Afrobeats song with over 1 billion streams. Additionally, both versions of the track have surpassed 2 billion streams combined. The song also claims the record for the most-viewed Nigerian music video on YouTube, with over 928 million views.
These achievements solidify ‘Calm Down’ as one of the most successful tracks in African music history. With its 8 million unit sales in the U.S., Rema is now on the verge of making history as the first African artist to have a diamond-certified song in the country. The RIAA certification for a song requires sales or equivalent streams of 10 million units, and ‘Calm Down’ is rapidly approaching that threshold.
Competition with Ckay’s ‘Love Nwantiti’
Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ is currently tied with Ckay’s ‘Love Nwantiti’ as the highest-certified African song in the U.S. Both tracks are vying for the distinction of being the first African song to receive an RIAA diamond certification. This competition highlights the growing influence of African artists in the global music industry and the increasing recognition of Afrobeats as a dominant force.
As more African songs continue to break records and gain international acclaim, the success of ‘Calm Down’ serves as a testament to the power of music that transcends borders. It not only represents a milestone for Rema but also signals a new era for African artists on the world stage. With continued support and exposure, the future looks bright for the next wave of African musical talent.
