Rema’s Calm Down crosses 1 billion Spotify streams

According to the digital streaming platform, the feat makes the song the first African artist-led track to achieve this milestone, with its highest streams coming from the US, India, Mexico, Brazil and the UK.

The development follows the song’s inclusion in Spotify’s 2023 Songs of Summer playlist last month alongside offerings by other global stars like Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and SZA.

“It’s a blessing. It’s not just a big win for me, my team and family, it’s also a big one for the culture,” Rema said. “I feel really happy and I’m really proud of the fans as well for going back to the song and putting people on the song. Shout out to the DJs and everyone who made this possible.”

Commenting on Rema’s latest accomplishment, Spotify’s artist and label partnerships manager for West Africa, Victor Okpala, said: “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.”

Since its release, ‘Calm Down’ has accrued several accolades. The Andre Vibez- and London-produced track has been added to over a million Spotify playlists, and ranks high on the Billboard Hot 100. On YouTube, the single’s video boasts a record for the most-viewed Afrobeats video of all time with 628 million views. The song also powered Rema to three wins at the 16th Headies, held at the Cobb Energy Center in Atlanta, US.

On 12 September, at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Rema and Selena Gomez will be hoping to clinch the gongs for Best Afrobeats Song, Best Collaboration and Song of the Year.