Nigerian music sensation Rema’s chart-topping hit “Calm Down” has finally bid farewell to the illustrious Billboard Hot 100 after a staggering 57-week run. Acknowledged as a historic milestone, the track has not only cemented its position as the lengthiest-charting African song of all time but has also surpassed the 35-week record previously held by Wizkid’s “Essence,” propelling Rema to the forefront of the global music stage.
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Having made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 in September of the preceding year, “Calm Down” garnered widespread acclaim for its captivating melodies and poignant lyrics. Billboard’s music experts lauded the track as a “melancholy slow jam with a subtle hypnotic draw,” captivating audiences far and wide.
A pivotal contributor to the song’s global appeal was the presence of American pop icon Selena Gomez, who featured in the remix. Despite Gomez’s modest contribution, the song made waves on international radios and TV ads, ultimately peaking at an impressive third position on the Billboard Hot 100, thereby securing a historic feat for an Afrobeats artist in the lead role.
Enthusiastic fans of both Rema and Selena Gomez have joyously celebrated the monumental accomplishments of “Calm Down,” commemorating its departure from the Billboard Hot 100. Setting an array of records, the track recently clinched the title of the most streamed Afrobeats song on Spotify, achieving the extraordinary feat of amassing over a billion streams, a landmark achievement for any African artist.
Amidst its triumphs, “Calm Down” has also etched its name in the annals of music history as the first song to sustain a one-year presence on the Billboard Afrobeats chart. Furthermore, its accompanying YouTube video has garnered a staggering 673 million views, solidifying its status as the most-watched music video by a Nigerian artist.
In light of the song’s enduring international success, 23-year-old Rema has ascended to the echelons of distinguished Afrobeats artists such as Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido, earning commendation for his exceptional musical prowess and groundbreaking achievements.
Read also: Calm Down: Rema song rewrites Billboard history with one year reign
The recent accolade of the inaugural Best Afrobeats Song at the MTV VMA Awards served as a fitting testament to the resounding impact of “Calm Down,” reaffirming Rema’s indomitable presence in the global music scene and promising a trailblazing career trajectory for the young prodigy.
